Deliver significant positive health outcomes that change people’s lives with chronic disabling conditions and trauma.
The Disability and Rehabilitation Program promotes and fosters researchers to develop and implement highly innovative interventions that improve the lives of individuals and their carers.
Rehabilitation and supported recovery is an essential part of a person’s journey after an injury, illness or disabling condition. Our focus is on rehabilitation for neurological and mental health conditions including spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), Long Haul COVID (LHC), neuromusculoskeletal disorders, persistent pain as well as developmental and age-related physical and mental health conditions.
Our impact
Project 1
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec sit amet ipsum dignissim, egestas nisl quis, pulvinar justo.
Project 1
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec sit amet ipsum dignissim, egestas nisl quis, pulvinar justo.
Project 1
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec sit amet ipsum dignissim, egestas nisl quis, pulvinar justo.
Project 1
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec sit amet ipsum dignissim, egestas nisl quis, pulvinar justo.
Our purpose
Disability and Rehabilitation Program aims to make a positive impact for all Australians living with the long-term consequences of injury, chronic illnesses and disability through delivering innovative and cutting-edge interventions, ensuring positive transformational changes to their lives.
Our researchers focus on delivering positive and impactful health program through the rapid translation of bold, innovative and multidisciplinary approaches that solve and revolutionise disability services and rehabilitation.
We design and develop personalised and person-centred methods that integrate knowledge from multiple sources and disciplines, resulting in precision interventions.
Program Director
Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik
Professor Marshall-Gradisnik, immunologist, is recognised as the world leader in NK cells and ion channel dysfunction in ME/CFS. In the past ten years she has been successful in attaining over $15 million to enable her research staff, students and post-doctoral research fellows to explore and identify novel immunological and ion channel findings in understanding the pathophysiology of ME/CFS and develop a laboratory diagnostic test.
Media
Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research
Our purpose
We aim to optimise and accelerate outcomes for people with severe disability and injuries of the nervous system by creating innovative cell transplantation therapies and drug treatments.
Key focus areas
- Spinal cord injury
- Neurodegeneration, particularly Alzheimer’s disease
- Peripheral nerve repair
Chief investigators
Associate Professor Jenny Ekberg
Jenny is a neuroscientist who combines discovery and clinical research to determine the causes of injuries and diseases of the nervous system. She has a particular interest in determining the pathogen contribution to Alzheimer’s disease and producing an effective treatment.
Professor James St John
James is a translational research neuroscientist who is developing cell transplantation and drug therapies to treat injuries and diseases of the nervous system, particularly for spinal cord injury.
Griffith Centre of Biomedical and Rehabilitation Engineering (GCORE)
Our purpose
We are developing innovative technologies to prevent and manage various neuromusculoskeletal and cardiovascular conditions. Our research encompasses areas of biomedical and rehabilitation science, design and engineering.
Key focus areas
- Multiscale human biophysics
- Optimised therapies using modelling and simulation
- Development of bionic, medical and assistive devices
- Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
- Human performance technologies
Our impact
Chief investigators
GCORE researchers are working on some of the most promising advances in spinal cord injury treatment in the world.
The Hopkins Centre: Research for Rehabilitation and Resilience
Our purpose
We are solving complex challenges arising from disability and improving the rehabilitation process to bring about better outcomes for individuals and their support networks.
Key focus areas
- Developing and translating therapeutic practices and technologies
- Enhancing service user experiences and promoting engagement
- Building workforce and frontline capacity
- Promoting positive environments
The Dignity Project
The community hub is bringing citizens and scientists together to reform barriers faced by people with disabilities.
National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED)
Our purpose
Our world-class research facility has a specific focus on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long Haul COVID. We are committed to creating sustained improvements in preventative medicine, social and clinical care, and public health.
Key focus areas
- Ion channel research
- Pharmacotherapeutics for the treatment of ME/CFS
- Immunology Neuro imaging (MRI)
- Epidemiology and health economics
- Disability and NDIS
Partners and collaborations
- National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC)
- Stafford Fox Medical Research Foundation
- McCusker Charitable Foundation
- Ian And Talei Stewart
- The Mason Foundation
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
- Alison Hunter Memorial Foundation
- Mr Douglas Stutt
- Blake Beckett Foundation
- Buxton Foundation
- Alison And Peter Campbell
- Henty Community
- Australian Ricketta Laboratory, WHO Reference Laboratory
- CDC (USA)
- University of Western Australia
Latest news
Spinal Cord Injury rehabilitation technology steps toward commercialisation
12 Apr 2024
Griffith University’s BioSpine team, led by Dr Claudio Pizzolato, has won a coveted place in a...
Does your foot shape dictate how well you do the locomotion, baby?
30 Jan 2024
A Griffith University and UQ research collab is reshaping our understanding of human biomechanics.
Key muscle protein may unlock the mystery of chronic mosquito-borne viral...
27 Oct 2023
Underlying evolutionary dynamics could play a key role in the replication and progress of the...
Understanding drinking behaviours in young Australian adults
23 Oct 2023
Young Australian adults aged 18-24 years are more likely to binge drink than any other age group.
Contact details
- Phone
- (07) 5678 8811
- Location and postal address
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland
- G40 Griffith Health Centre, Level 8.86
- Gold Coast campus
- Griffith University QLD 4222
