Charles Darwin University is situated in the Northern Territory, which is also the homeland of many Indigenous peoples. For over 30 years, improving the health and wellbeing of Indigenous populations has been the dedicated work of Menzies School of Health Research, one of Australia’s leading medical research institutes. Located on the CDU campus, Menzies is also a global leader in researching tropical illnesses and the effects of the tropics on child health and development.
Menzies School of Health Research
The location of CDU makes us the ideal university for research into Indigenous populations and tropical illnesses.
For over 30 years, improving the health and wellbeing of Indigenous populations has been the dedicated work of Menzies School of Health Research, one of Australia’s leading medical research institutes.
Located on the CDU campus, Menzies is also a global leader in researching tropical illnesses and the effects of the tropics on child health and development.
“Our goal at Menzies is to address the health inequalities between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians. We do this through meaningful research in partnership with the community,” said Heather D’Antoine, Associate Director, Aboriginal Programs.
To find the latest research opportunities with Menzies please go to their website for honours, Masters and PhD projects, or view the handbook.
Faculty of Health
The Faculty of Health offers research expertise in midwifery and women's health, birthing on country, primary health care, mental health, cancer and chronic conditions. The Faculty’s strategic plan has prioritised its research engagement in strengthening the Faculty’s major research foci, research impacts, and research support environment. The Faculty has been engaging in high impact research outcomes that make a difference in the lives of people in the Northern Territory, Australia and internationally. The team has a strong track record, with more than 20 currently funded projects and many national and international collaborations.
Molly Wardaguga Institute for First Nations Birth Rights
The Molly Wardaguga Instute for First Nations Birth Rights was a strategic investment by CDU in 2019. Established in honour of Burarra Elder and midwife who worked extensively to improve health outcomes, with a vision of returning birthing services to Indigenous communities and Indigenous control. The vision of the Centre is to support women’s cultural and birthing aspirations, especially in remote locations through research and use this to dismantle the barriers imposed by westernised approaches to birthing and maternal healthcare. Read more at https://www.cdu.edu.au/molly-institute.
Meet the supervisors
Professor Bart Currie
Professor Currie leads the Tropical and Emerging Infectious Diseases team within the Global and Tropical Health Division at Menzies School of Health Research, Northern Territory, Darwin.
Research interests:
- infection
- melioidosis
- bulholderia pseudomallei
- scabies.
Professor Anna Ralph
Anna is the director of Global and Tropical Health at Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. She is a National Health and Medical Research Council Career Development Fellow, and is the Clinical Director of Rheumatic Heart Disease Australia, as well as being a practising medical specialist in General Medicine and Infectious Diseases at Royal Darwin Hospital.
Research interests:
- rheumatic fever and,
- rheumatic heart disease in Australian Indigenous populations
- tuberculosis control.
Associate Professor Heidi Smith-Vaughan
Heidi heads Child Health Laboratory Research and is Director of HealthLAB at the Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
Research interests:
- child health (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Asia-Pacific region)
- haemophilus influenzae
- bronchiectasis
- streptococcus pneumoniae
- otitis media.
Dr Michael Binks
With expertise in biomedical science, clinical trials and epidemiology, Dr Michael Binks leads a collaborative and multidisciplinary research program dedicated to achieving sustainable improvements in the respiratory health of Indigenous children.
Research opportunity:
Projects with the capacity to support PhD students are clinical trials of evaluating perinatal vitamin D supplementation, antenatal vaccination and neonatal probiotic therapy as key preventative strategies against early childhood acute respiratory infections.
Meet Michael
Dr Kamala Thriemer
Kamala Thriemer is a senior researcher and lecturer at the Menzies School of Health Research.
Research interests:
- malaria elimination
- public health strategies
- primaquine
- plasmodium vivax.
Associate Professor Yu Gao
Yu practiced as a Resident Obstetrician in a large teaching hospital in China for a year before being chosen to conduct doctoral studies at Charles Darwin University, completing in 2008.
Research interests:
- midwifery (maternal and infant health)
- rural and remote health
- Aboriginal health.
Dr Yvette Roe
Yvette has more than 25 years’ experience working in the Indigenous health. As an Aboriginal scholar, Yvette’s research and priority has been to identify opportunities to improve health outcomes for First Nations peoples by delivering and evaluating services that are client, family and community focused.
Research interests:
- midwifery (maternal and infant health)
- rural and remote health
- Aboriginal health.
Dr Sarah Ireland
Sarah is an early career researcher, medical anthropologist, nurse and midwife. She has expertise in cross-cultural qualitative research methods, especially collaborative approaches with Aboriginal people.
Research interests:
- midwifery (maternal and infant health)
- rural and remote health
- Aboriginal health.
Dr Abel Dadi
Dr. Abel is a researcher at the Centre for Child Development and Education (CCDE) at Menzies School of Health Research. Abel is currently working on a range of studies in the areas of childhood early development, mid-year school outcomes, and maternal mental health and perinatal outcomes using large-scale, linked, administrative data.
Meet Abel
Dr Matthew Hare
Dr Hare is a Senior Research Fellow at Menzies School of Health Research as well as a Staff Specialist and Clinical Lead of Remote Services in the Endocrinology Department, Royal Darwin Hospital. His research and translational activities focus on collaboratively addressing the intergenerational epidemic of cardiometabolic disease among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Research Interests:
- Diabetes
- diabetes in pregnancy
- epidemiology
- data-linkage
- health promotion
- health services implementation research
- chronic kidney disease
- cardiovascular disease
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
Associate Professor Oyelola Adegboye
Associate Professor Oyelola Adegboye is a senior biostatistician at Menzies School of Health Research in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. He is a chartered statistician with extensive experience in public health research. His expertise includes biostatistics, spatial-temporal statistics, environmental epidemiology, disease mapping, exposure science, and ecological modelling.
Research Interests
- Biostatistics
- Spatial epidemiology
- Exposure science
- Chronic diseases
- Neglected tropical diseases
- Global health
- One health
Dr Nazim Nassar
Dr Nassar, a practising pharmacist and academic, specializes in pharmacological, biomedical, and pharmaceutical sciences. Under Dr Nassar's guidance, candidates pursuing higher degrees will gain expertise in receptor characterization, receptor-ligand kinetics, and molecular biological cell signalling. They will also develop skills in designing macroscopic, micro-, and nano-scale smart drug delivery systems, conducting physicochemical characterization of these systems, and modelling drug release kinetics.
Research Opportunities:
Projects centered on innovating advanced controlled and sustained-release drug delivery systems, both topical and subcutaneous. These innovative delivery systems, ranging from macroscopic to nanotechnologies, aim to treat skin-related medical conditions like melanoma and chronic skin wounds. Additionally, they can be utilised to deliver systemic medications for a variety of acute and chronic medical disorders, including the administration of antipyretics for children and infants.
Research Interests:
- Bioactive peptides as biopharmaceuticals
- Phyto cannabinoids as biopharmaceuticals
- Advanced drug delivery systems for biopharmaceuticals
Associate Professor Gabrielle McCallum
A/Prof Gabrielle McCallum is the Head of Discipline in the School of Nursing at Charles Darwin University. Gabrielle's research addresses important clinical gaps for children and adolescents at-risk of poor lung health in Australia, Timor-Leste and the Asia-Pacific region and informs direct prevention strategies, future interventions, and improved management pathways.
Research Interests:
- Acute lower respiratory infections
- Bronchiectasis
- Clinical trials
- Education that is culturally appropriate for diverse settings
Stephen Bolaji
My research focuses on educational psychology, with a particular emphasis on students' wellbeing, workplace diversity, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) educational aspirations, education policy, online learning, digital engagement, and the use of AI in enhancing student learning.
I am actively seeking research students interested in educational psychology, diversity, policy development, and the integration of digital technologies in learning. Research students will have the opportunity to engage with impactful projects that aim to improve educational experiences and outcomes for diverse student populations, contributing to both academic theory and practical policy solutions.
Research Interests
- Educational Psychology
- Students' Wellbeing
- Workplace Diversity
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Educational Aspirations
- Education Policy
- Online Learning and Digital Engagement
- The Use of AI in Enhancing Student Learning
- Psychological Wellbeing in Education
- Diversity and Inclusion in Educational Settings
- Impact of Technology on Educational Outcomes
- Personalised Learning through Digital Tools
- Educational Equity and Access for Diverse Populations
Dr Hamid Karimi
As a speech pathologist and lecturer at Charles Darwin University, my research primarily focuses on fluency disorders, particularly stuttering, and its measurement, assessment, and treatment across diverse populations. With over 15 years of clinical and academic experience, I have contributed significantly to the field through innovative methodologies, such as developing outcome measures like the Satisfaction with Communication in Everyday Speaking Situations (SCESS) scale and validating tools like the Stuttering Severity Instrument (SSI-4) for Persian-speaking individuals.
Research Interests
- Fluency Disorders (Stuttering): Measurement, assessment, and treatment efficacy, including development and validation of outcome measures.
- Cross-Cultural Speech Pathology: Cultural influences on stuttering and communication disorders, with a focus on multilingual contexts.
- Telehealth Interventions: Developing and validating early intervention programs for stuttering and other speech and language disorders.
- Social Anxiety and Stuttering Clinical Education and Simulation: Enhancing speech pathology training through simulated clinics and curriculum design for improved clinical competencies.
- Speech and Language Disorders in Diverse Populations: Investigating characteristics and interventions for children and adults with developmental or acquired communication disorders
Associate Professor Dr Dianne Wepa
Dr. Dianne Wepa is an Associate Professor of Social Work and Associate Dean of Learning & Teaching at Charles Darwin University. She has an extensive research background in Māori health, cultural safety, mental health, and social work education. Her research has significantly impacted Indigenous health, digital health tools, and mental health interventions, particularly for Māori communities and First Nations peoples in Australia.
Research Interests
- Suicide prevention
- digital health technology
- co-design
- mixed methods
- constructivist grounded theory
- Indigenous methodologies
- rural and remote health
- pandemic and natural disaster responses
Senior Lecturer Devaki Monani
My expertise is on the study of Australian Multiculturalism, Settlement of Migrants both skilled and humanitarian. I have been appointed as the Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Council for Multicultural Affairs in the Northern Territory.
Research Interests
- Multicultural Mental Health
- Multicultural Policy
- Multicultural Communities in regional Australia
- African Settlement in regional Australia
Dr Andrew Richardson
Dr Andrew Richardson is a Social Worker and Psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience in health and social care. Dr Richardson's experience ranges from direct clinical practice, management and leadership roles in government, higher education and not-for-profit organisations.
Dr Richardson gained expertise in social work and psychoanalytic approaches to clinical practice, supervision and research from the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust and the Society of Analytical Psychology in London (UK).
Research Interests
- Mental Health
- Social Work
- Adult Social Care
- Clinical Supervision
- Management in Human Service Organisations
- Qualitative research methods
- Participatory Research
- LGBTQI+
- Sexual Health
- Disabilities
- Community Development
- Health promotion
Associate Professor Isaac Selva Raj
Isaac's research focus has been in exercise and physical activity for older adults. His current research interests are in exercise and physical activity interventions for health and physical performance in a range of populations, such as apparently healthy adults, clinical populations and athletes.
Research Interests
- Exercise and physical activity interventions for health
- Physical performance in a range of populations, such as apparently healthy adults, clinical populations and athletes
Professor Tinashe Dune
Prof Tinashe Dune (MAPS) is a multi-award-winning researcher, tertiary educator, and Senior Clinical Psychologist with two PhDs and extensive qualifications and experience. Beyond her clinical work, she's an accomplished academic with over 170 scholarly publications. Prof Dune's passion for inclusive, comprehensive care makes her an invaluable leader in our clinic, committed to nurturing wellbeing across diverse communities.
Research Interests
- Complex trauma
- Relationships and families
- Workplace issues
- Sexual and reproductive health
- Sexual identity
- Minority and people of colour experiences
- Autism and ADHD assessments (specialising in girls, women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, LGBTIQ+ individuals, and trauma survivors)
Associate Professor Rosemarie Hogan
PhD in public health. Proven ability of research outputs in midwifery, nursing and public health with publications in Q1 journals. Specific discipline areas include midwifery and nursing practice and education; assisted reproductive technology; women's health; child and family health; communication and professional practice; evidence-based practice and primary healthcare.
Research Interest
- Midwifery and nursing practice and education
- Assisted reproductive technology
- Women's health
- Child and family health
- Communication and professional practice
- Evidence-based practice and primary healthcare
Associate Professor Natasha Franklin
My main area of research includes chronic disease malnutrition in adult hospital patients. Research impact includes the development and validation of the first malnutrition screening tool specifically for an Indigenous population (Aboriginal Australian and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples).
Research Interest
- Chronic disease
- Quality and safety in healthcare
- Malnutrition
- Nursing education
Associate Professor Benedikt Ley
Dr Benedikt Ley’s research program addresses Plasmodium vivax malaria through three interconnected streams. PhD candidates can contribute to quantitative and mixed-methods, multi-country projects—including individual patient data meta-analyses—while receiving cross-disciplinary mentorship in epidemiology and implementation science.
Research Interests:
- Point of care diagnostics
- malaria elimination
- G6PD deficiency
- Vivax malria
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