Course Accreditation Reviewers
The course accreditation reviewers are a group of experienced academics and practitioners from which application review teams are selected. A review team is responsible for assessing a course accreditation application, conducting a site visit, and recommending an application outcome for approval. There are two membership categories – academic and practitioner. An academic member must be a Level C academic with expertise in the field of exercise and sports science. A practitioner member must be considered senior in the field and have a working knowledge of higher education provider practicum programs. Panel membership vacancies are advertised to the ESSA membership and academic units.
Member Profiles
Dr Alasdair Dempsey
Alasdair Dempsey is an Accredited Exercise Scientist and Senior Lecturer in Exercise Science at Murdoch University. He was awarded his PhD in Biomechanics from the University of Western Australia. His research focuses on sports injury prevention, particularly at the community level. Alasdair is currently the Deputy Dean for Learning and Teaching in the School of Allied Health and has previously been the Dean of Learning and Teaching for Murdochs College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education. Prior to this, he was the Academic Chair responsible for the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science at Murdoch University.
Professor Amanda Benson
Professor Amanda Benson is the Course Director for Exercise and Sport Science and the Associate Dean Education for the School of Health Sciences at Swinburne University of Technology and an ESSA-accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and a registered teacher (VIT). She has considerable experience in curriculum development within Australia and New Zealand in exercise science, physical education, and health. Her teaching interests are in clinical exercise physiology, physical activity, and technology. Her research interests are in using exercise and physical activity in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease across the lifespan, with specific interest in cardiac rehabilitation, type 2 diabetes, resistance training and wearable and sensor technology.
Ms Amanda Semaan
Amanda Semaan is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and has been practicing since 2012. Amanda currently works across both the practitioner and education field. Amanda is the co-director of a small, allied health business working primarily in disability and mental health in Sydney (founded 2013). Her personal areas of expertise include mental health, intellectual disability, and Aboriginal health. Amanda is also employed part-time with the University of Sydney (since 2012) as an Associate Lecturer in Work Integrated Learning. Amanda is a current research student at the University of Sydney. Her thesis title is Knowledge and attitudes of exercise physiology students to the mental health sector.
Professor Andrew Cresswell
Professor Andrew Cresswell is a Professor and former Head of School of the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences at The University of Queensland (UQ). He completed his medical doctorate in Neuroscience from the Karolinska Institute, Sweden, in 1993 and returned to Australia in 2005 as Professor in Biomechanics/Neurophysiology at UQ. Andrew’s research interest is in the integration of neurophysiology and biomechanics to investigate the control of human movement. He has co-authored more than 180 peer reviewed publications in leading scientific journals with more than 7,500 attributed citations. He has been awarded major research grants from the Swedish Research Foundation, the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council and the Australian Research Council. He is Section Editor for the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, Associate Editor for the European Journal of Applied Physiology and serves on the Editorial Boards for Acta Physiologic and Journal of Science and Medicine in Sports. He is a former Past-president of the International Society of Biomechanics, a Fellow of Sports Medicine Australia and The International Society of Biomechanics and a Past-president of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Biomechanics.
Associate Professor Anthony Leicht
Associate Professor Anthony Leicht is a senior academic within and former Director (2008-2011) of the Institute of Sport and Exercise Science at James Cook University. He is an experienced exercise scientist/researcher with an international reputation and expertise in the responses to exercise with a particular emphasis on cardiovascular physiology including heart rate control. He has been an active member of ESSA since 2001 as a national board member, conference organiser, reviewer of funding and awards, developer of clinical and exercise science criteria, and is a current ESSA Fellow (2007). His research focus includes topics that reflect his teaching interests of exercise physiology and exercise testing, and he is a current Fellow of the European College of Sport Sciences (2010). He has received several awards (e.g., University of Southern Queensland, International Society for Heart Research, ESSA) and is a current member of several national and international professional bodies associated with exercise science and physiology. He is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, on several editorial boards, and a reviewer for >20 international sport and exercise science and physiology journals. He is a former international and national basketball referee and an avid sports fan.
Associate Professor Annette Raynor
Dr Raynor is an Associate Professor in Motor Learning and Control at Edith Cowan University where she coordinates and delivers units in Motor Learning and Control and through her research aims to improve motor performance in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder and older adults; enhance talent identification in sport; and improve decision making under pressure. Annette graduated from UWA with a Bachelor Physical Education (Hons), Diploma in Education and PhD, before commencing her academic career at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore as a lecturer in Motor Learning and Control and Biomechanics. She took up a similar role at the University of South Australia (2000-2011) and held several leadership roles including Associate Head of School and acting Head of School. Annette was Head of School, Exercise and Health Sciences at Edith Cowan University from 2012-2015, a founding member of the Council of Heads of Exercise, Sport, and Movement Sciences (CHESMS) Executive in 2012 and was elected as President of this Council in 2015. She has contributed to ESSA’s National University Course Accreditation Program since 2010 as both a reviewer and an executive council member and was awarded a Fellow of ESSA in 2020.
Professor Ben Dascombe
Ben Dascombe is currently a Professor in Sports and Exercise Science with the School of Health Science as Western Sydney University. He completed his PhD in 2007 from Central Queensland University, before moving to the Western Australia Institute of Sport to work as a sports physiologist until 2009. In 2009, Ben moved to the University of Newcastle as a lecturer in the newly established exercise and sports science program. His teaching interests lie predominately within exercise physiology, strength and conditioning and professional practice, but he has taught across many other disciplines. In 2011, Ben established the Applied Sports Science and Exercise Testing laboratory that consists of over a dozen student researchers and acts to focus on research that influences high performance practices. Ben has published over 50 published manuscripts or book chapters, 1 textbook on practical skills for exercise science students as well as numerous conference proceedings. Such research domains include investigating novel training practices, environmental physiology, applied sports performance and amino acid metabolism in athletes. In 2013, Ben was awarded the Faculty of Science and IT Vice Chancellors Award for Researcher of the Year for his work. In addition to this, he has been invited to peer review research for over 15 international scientific journals and many industry consultancies. In his current role, Ben works with the strength and conditioning staff of several professional sporting clubs in providing them with sports science advice and implementing new practices. Ben is an accredited exercise scientist with Exercise and Sports Science Australia and has held various other professional qualifications.
Ms Brooke Russell
Brooke has worked at the University of Wollongong (UOW) as an AEP academic, teaching into the clinical exercise physiology program and coordinating various subjects within the exercise science program. She is currently the Practicum and Clinical Education Officer at UOW, sourcing and coordinating clinical placements for 4th year and Masters EP students. Previously Brooke worked as an AEP for Diabetes Australia - NSW (~10 years) in Metropolitan Sydney, Riverina, and the Illawarra. Brooke graduated from Exercise Science & Rehabilitation in 2024, holds a Bachelor of Teaching, a Master of Philosophy and a Master in Education, all of which allow her to continue her two passions: Exercise and Education. She is committed to providing quality teaching and learning experiences that follow best practice and are authentic for the student.
Associate Professor Chris Askew
Dr Askew is an associate Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC). He also holds a conjoint position with the Sunshine Coast Health Institute (SCHI) at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, where he leads the VasoActive research group. He is an accredited exercise physiologist with a particular interest in pathophysiology, prevention, and management of chronic age-related cardiovascular and neurodegenerative conditions. Chris is recognised internationally for his research in peripheral arterial disease and exercise, and he has led the development of various guidelines and position statements. Chris is a past-president (2012-14) and national board member of ESSA. He was the inaugural chair of the ESSA Professional Standards Council and has overseen the development and review of standards in exercise science, sport science and clinical exercise physiology. He is a fellow of the European College of Sports Science, and Exercise & Sports Science Australia.
Dr Christopher Joyce
Dr Christopher Joyce is a Senior Lecturer and Program Coordinator of Exercise and Sports Science at UNDA. His teaching and research areas include sports biomechanics, team sport, and clinical exercise physiology producing research outputs and collaborations with national and international universities and sports organisations. He has over 10 years of tertiary teaching experience in Western Australia and Singapore and has supervised multiple higher degree research students. Since becoming an AEP in 2008, he has worked in multiple private practice settings, mainly focusing on musculoskeletal rehabilitation and exercise. His current practice is The Golf Rehab Clinic where he provides exercise rehabilitation to referred and private patients, as well as PGA professionals. He has an applied S&C background in state basketball, football (ARF) and rugby union, and is currently an approved education provider Australian PGA.
Associate Professor Claire Drummond
Claire Drummond is an Associate Professor in Exercise Science at Flinders University and is the Academic Lead of the Exercise Science and Clinical Exercise Physiology courses. Claire is an experienced research leader in community and population health, specifically in the areas of physical activity, body image, gender, and exercise prescription and has extensive experience in qualitative research. Claire carries out performance testing for a range of elite athletes and is the High-Performance lead for Surf Lifesaving South Australia. Previously, Claire was the Associate Head of Faculty for Medicine, Nursing and Health Science (teaching and learning) where she provided curriculum oversight on the range of Health courses in the Faculty; most notably developing and implementing the new courses in Exercise Science and Clinical Exercise Physiology. Claire has a depth of knowledge in quality in learning and teaching and University processes due to her prior role as the Director of the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching (CILT).
Mrs Fiona Iredale
Fiona Iredale is the current course director of the Bachelor of Science (Exercise Science and Rehabilitation) and Bachelor of Science (Exercise and Sport Science) at Edith Cowan University in Western Australia. She has been a tertiary educator in the UK, New Zealand, and Australia for over 25 years and her teaching areas currently include musculoskeletal rehabilitation and injury prevention. Her research interests are varied and have recently been focussed on talent identification in football and combat sports. Fiona has been an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) since 2014 and is currently engaged as an AEP for a National Premier League soccer club in WA, overseeing and delivering injury prevention and management programmes and supervising EP and ES students undertaking practicum hours.
Dr Jacqueline Pengelly
Dr Jacqueline Pengelly is a lecturer in Clinical Exercise physiology at Federation University Australia. She has more than 13 years of experience as an accredited exercise scientist, has worked clinically as an accredited exercise physiologist for 6 years in the private hospital and private practice sectors, and as an academic for 3 years. Jacqueline also has a background in secondary teaching, curriculum assessment design and development, student placement supervision and research. Her research interests are in improving patient outcomes following cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation, resistance training for clinical populations and healthy aging in older adults.
Associate Professor Jacqueline Raymond
Associate Professor Jacqueline (Jacqui) Raymond is currently Program Director for the undergraduate exercise physiology course at The University of Sydney following a period in Work Integrated Learning overseeing the exercise science and exercise physiology placement program. Jacqui has previously been a course accreditation reviewer and a member of the Accreditation Council since October 2019. Jacqui’s teaching and research expertise is in learning and assessment of student performance on placement.
Ms Jesse Chandler
Jesse Chandler is a Senior Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Lecturer at the University of Notre Dame Fremantle, teaching into the School of Health Sciences and Physiotherapy. She is a Practicum & Course Coordinator within the Exercise & Sport Science degree and has supervised the Notre Dame internal practicum courses since 2018. Jesse owns a small but thriving Exercise Physiology clinic that primarily serves Medicare and NDIS participants. She has a strong clinical interest in the management of chronic health conditions and helping individuals take control of their long-term health. Jesse also has a strong interest in mentoring her new graduate staff members and students, ensuring their clients and the wider community receive high quality, client-centred care. Jesse has worked as an AEP since 2013 and has significant experience in the Workers Compensation legislation, through her work in injury and case management. Jesse looks forward to building on her research and academic career in the years to come.
Ms Karen Salter
Karen is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and has been practising since 2009. Karen has extensive industry experience in a range of settings including academic, private hospital, public health, and private practice. She currently works in mental health, specialising in severe mental illness, with a focus on the role that movement therapies have in promoting function, personal recovery, and community engagement. Karen’s previous clinical experience was in sub-acute rehabilitation, with a focus on neurological rehabilitation including spinal cord injury, stroke, and Parkinson’s disease. As part of her role Karen completed the Stepping into Research Program and completed a systematic review and meta-analysis into the benefits of resistance training in the first 3 months after stroke. Karen has experience in academia, having been sessional academic at both Victoria and Deakin University and a full-time academic at Deakin University in the Masters of Clinical Exercise Physiology program. Her role at Deakin University as an academic in Clinical Exercise Practice involved development of the student placement program, development of the student clinic and teaching into Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology units of study. Karen is Health at Every Size® (HAES®) aligned in her approach as a practitioner, with a passion for intuitive movement.
Associate Professor Kate Edwards
Associate Professor Kate Edwards is currently the Course Director for the Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science), in the Sydney School of Health Sciences at the University of Sydney. Kate received her PhD from the University of Birmingham, UK and completed post-doctoral training at the university of California, San Diego, USA. Her travels brought her to Australia to begin teaching exercise physiology in 2011. Kate's research interests focus on exercise immunology and behavioural medicine and have received national and international funding support. Kate’s work is at the forefront of establishing the role of acute exercise as and adjuvant to medical interventions, including vaccination and chemotherapy. Kate's teaching leadership has been recognised by the award of a Senior Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy and appointment to External Program Review Committees at UNSW and WSU. Her commitment to and success in teaching excellence are evidenced by awards from both faculty and the University (Vice Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Teaching, 2017). She has led several education innovation grants and published pedagogical book chapters and journal articles. Kate has been an active contributor to AES and AEP curriculum design and accreditation processes, in addition to coordinating and teaching across undergraduate and post-graduate programs.
Associate Professor Kate Pumpa
Associate Professor Kate Pumpa is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Accredited Practicing Sports Dietitian who teaches Exercise Physiology and Sports Nutrition at The University of Canberra. Kate is the convenor of the Bachelor of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation degree within the Discipline of Exercise and Sport Science, and the current Performance Dietitian for the Australian Rugby Union Wallabies. Kate completed her PhD at the Australian Institute of Sport in 2008 before consulting as a Sports Dietitian to Leinster Rugby Club based in Dublin, Ireland. In 2010 Kate was appointed as an Assistant Professor at the University of Canberra, where she is currently employed in a teaching and research position. Kate has been an AEP and APD since 2003, working in private practice and within the University of Canberra’s student-led Exercise Physiology Clinic. Kate’s research focuses on two distinct areas; the evaluation and application of assessing energy expenditure in athletes to assist with nutrition prescription and body composition manipulation, and the evaluation of different exercise interventions to improve outcomes in cancer patients.
Dr Kath Shorter
Dr Kath Shorter is a Senior Lecturer in Functional Anatomy/Biomechanics at the University of South Australia. She has extensive teaching experience with a particular interest in the application of digital technologies to enable effective online learning within the field of biomechanics. Kath's main research areas stem from her background as a podiatrist where she is interested in lower limb biomechanics and understanding the pathomechanics of injuries. Kath has applied her expertise as an accredited exercise scientist through providing exercise and sports science support to a range of sporting athletes and teams within both the United Kingdom and Australia.
Dr Kirsten Howlett
Dr Howlett is currently a Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology with the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences and member of the Institute of Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin University. Kirsten has over 20 years of academic experience with a PhD in Exercise Physiology, The University of Melbourne and has undertaken post-doctoral research as a Fulbright Scholar at the Joslin Diabetes Institute, Harvard Medical School, USA. Her research program focuses on understanding the fundamental physiological and cellular response to exercise and metabolic diseases associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Her research has been funded by ARC and Diabetes Australia. Kirsten is course director of the Exercise and Sport Science undergraduate programs at Deakin University. She is actively involved in curriculum development, coordinating, and teaching and has received a Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Education and Employability.
Ms Kristy Hastings
Kristy is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and has been practising since 2008. After completing undergraduate studies at Deakin University, Kristy completed post-graduate studies at Victoria University of Technology. A passion in clinical education also led to the completion of a graduate certificate in Health Professional Education at Monash University. During her career, Kristy has worked in a range of public health settings including acute hospital and community rehabilitation settings before transitioning to community health. Kristy currently works in a Specialist Aged Service providing interventions to people living with dementia or cognitive impairment. Kristy is passionate about helping clients to improve their health and wellbeing through formal exercise and informal physical activity to ensure they can live well, in their own home for as long as possible. Since beginning her career, Kristy has provided clinical education to students from various universities and was student coordinator for Monash Health in 2014. In addition, Kristy has held sessional lecturer roles at La Trobe University in Bendigo, teaching Assessment and Exercise Prescription for Neurological Dysfunction. Kristy is passionate about providing a supportive learning environment where a student can develop their skills and achieve their learning outcomes.
Dr Lee Wallace
Dr Lee Wallace is a Senior Lecturer and the Undergraduate Course Director of Sport and Exercise at the University of Technology Sydney. Lee is an experienced researcher in human performance with numerous journal publications to his name and lecturers in the areas of Structural and Functional Anatomy. Lee also has a strong background in governance having held board roles on publicly listed companies in the United States.
Dr Maarten Immink
Dr Maarten Immink is Senior Lecturer in Human Movement at the University of South Australia. He coordinates motor learning and control and motor neuroscience undergraduate courses for the University’s Human Movement and Clinical Exercise Physiology degree programs. Between 2010 and 2013, Dr Immink was Program Director for the Human Movement degree and then the Clinical Exercise Physiology degree, the latter of which Dr Immink developed, launched, and submitted ESSA course accreditation application documentation for ES and EP accreditation. Dr Immink’s research focuses on the neurocognitive processes that underlie skilled movement learning and performance. Part of this research aims to further our understanding for how training can be structured to enhance motor learning outcomes. He also investigates approaches to enhancing the individual’s capacity for motor skill learning and performance through mental training techniques including meditation.
Dr Mandy Plumb
Dr Mandy Plumb graduated from the University of Wales, Bangor with a BSc (Hons) degree in Sports Science in 2000. Dr Plumb then gained a PhD (Mechanical & Metabolic Factors in Osteoarthritis) in Orthopaedic Surgery from the University of Aberdeen in 20005. Since then, Dr Plumb commenced a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in the School of Psychology and Department of Child Health at the University of Aberdeen, developing an electronic tool to aid diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders in children. In July 2007 Dr Plumb was offered a Sport and Exercise Science Lectureship in the School of Health Sciences at The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen Scotland, and in September 2010 joined Oxford Brookes University UK, as Senior Lecturer in Osteopathy as the Research Lead. In 2014 Dr Plumb joined Federation University and took on the role as Program Coordinator in Exercise and Sport Science in 2016. Dr Plumb's main research focus is to understand how children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) plan their movements, when performing a simple task like reaching and grasping an object, and then a more complex task that requires some kind of choice. By understanding simple and complex motor planning, it may provide some insight into how to tailor appropriate interventions to these children to lessen the negative later life consequences that are currently observed.
Dr Matt Clarkson
Matt Clarkson is a Senior Lecturer at Victoria University (VU). He is also the course chair for the Master of Clinical Exercise Science and Rehabilitation in the College of Sport, Health, and Engineering. Matt's research interests include blood flow restriction exercise, and exercise for patients with chronic kidney disease (particularly during dialysis). He is also a member of the Global Renal Exercise Network who research and advocate for the engagement of renal patients in physical activity and exercise to optimise health outcomes. Matt has roots as a strength and conditioning coach with 13 years' industry experience, having worked in both high-performance sport and as director of a private practice allied health clinic. He has a passion for building partnerships to develop the allied health industry and collaborate on research and is always open to conversation around new ideas in this space. Matt is an accredited exercise physiologist, and a board member of both the Council of Heads of Exercise, Sport, and Movement Sciences (CHESMS) and the Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) Victorian State Chapter.
Dr Max Nelson
Dr Max Nelson is a Lecturer in Exercise and Sport Science with UniSA: Allied Health and Human Performance with a passion for student-focused teaching which places student wellbeing at the forefront of his practice. Max has been teaching at the University of South Australia since 2011 and has delivered content across a wide array of subject areas. Since 2017, Max has been the Physical Performance Coordinator for the University of South Australia 'Invictus Pathways Program', leading the supervision of over 30 students per year as they deliver and prescribe exercise to current-and former-serving defence force and first response personnel with the aim of improving their physical and mental health and wellbeing through sport and exercise. As part of this role, Max has consulted as the lead Exercise and Sports Scientist for the Australian Invictus Games team (including as a member of the official travelling party for the 2020 Invictus Games in the Hague, The Netherlands), and has worked with a range of clients with both clinical and performance-oriented backgrounds. Max has also consulted with several external organisations and is currently the Co-Chair of the South Australian State Chapter for ESSA, in addition to continuing to research, publish and supervise extensively in a range of exercise science topics as part of his employment at UniSA.
Mr Nathan Chesterfield
Nathan has been an Accredited Exercise Physiologist since 2007, held full membership with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) since 2004, and has over 20 years total industry experience in an array of roles including private practice, high performance, corporate health, and rural/remote health promotion. Nathan’s clinical background has orientated around rehabilitation and prevention of musculoskeletal conditions but includes broad exposure to chronic conditions along with management of programs and other practitioners. Currently Nathan’s professional role as Teaching Specialist/Placement Education Coordinator within the Masters Clinical Exercise Physiology course at Flinders University dovetails theoretical teaching with applied practice to facilitate development of quality and work ready graduates within an ESSA accredited program. Nathan maintains a clinical load through both university and private clinics in Adelaide alongside his lecturing.
Professor Nick Ball
Nick Ball is a Professor in Sports Biomechanics at the University of Canberra (UC). Nick has over 15 years of experience in academia spanning both the UK and Australia and has previously been the Discipline Lead for Sport an Exercise Science (2014-2018) at UC, before going on to be the Head of School for Health sciences. Nick’s research interests focus on neuromuscular co-ordination and its applications to strength and conditioning and clinical populations. Nick is an Accredited Professional Strength and Conditioning Coach with over 10 years’ experience and is the current Head of Athletic Performance for the University of Canberra Capitals WNBL team. Nick is also currently on the Council of Heads of Exercise, Sport, and Movement Sciences (CHESMS) executive board.
Mr Paul Crabtree
Paul completed his degree in exercise physiology at ECU. Following this, he has been conducting sessional tutoring with undergraduate students in chronic disease management units, covering topics such as risk identification and stratification, relative and contra indications to exercise and complications of the various conditions. He currently coordinates clinical practicum placements for exercise physiology students using his professional experience of the industry to help prepare them for their career. Paul has experience in chronic disease management, providing rehabilitation services to workers compensation & motor vehicle injury clients, cardiovascular rehabilitation working with high risk and transplant patents, orthopaedic rehabilitation and as a research assistant at ECU Research institute working with the Exercise for Cancer programs.
Dr Peter Edwards
Peter is a Lecturer in the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise and Sport Science at Curtin University, and a Senior Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) for 10 years at Hollywood Functional Rehabilitation Clinic (HFRC). His clinical and research interests span pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation, injury prevention return to sport optimisation, and digital health. He previously served as a senior AEP at the University of Western Australia (UWA) Health and Rehabilitation centre, including a role as a supervising AEP for two years on the paediatric exercise rehabilitation "Thriving" program at UWA.
Ms Rachel Venn
Rachel Venn is a Clinical Educator at the University of Canberra (UC) Student Led Clinic and an ESSA Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP). Rachel completed a Bachelor in Human Movement Science from Southern Cross University in 2004, a Graduate Certificate in Pain Management from the University of Sydney in 2007 and Paediatric Exercise Rehabilitation (taught in the Masters of Exercise Physiology) from University of Western Australia in 2016. Rachel’s current role as an AEP and Clinical Educator at UC is to provide clinical education and assessment of Exercise Physiology students and to facilitate the transition of theoretical knowledge into clinical practice. In addition to student supervision, Rachel has assumed a position as a panel assessor for UC Exit Exams, lectured as a sessional academic and assisted in facilitating research at the University of Canberra, University of Tasmania, and University of Queensland. Rachel has a wide range of practical experience including working as a Student Supervisor and AEP on the University of Western Australia (UWA) Paediatric Exercise Rehabilitation Thriving program and in ACT Health at The Canberra Hospital Exercise Physiology Department. Rachel has also practiced as an AEP in Community Health, Private Practice and Multidisciplinary Pain Management Clinics. Rachel’s clinical experience ranges from working with paediatrics developing fundamental movement skills to specialised exercise prescription, cardiac rehabilitation in a hospital and community settings, chronic disease management (individual and group sessions) and cancer rehabilitation.
Professor Rod Barrett
Rod is a Professor in Biomechanics and current Head of Exercise Science and Sport within the School of Allied Health Sciences at Griffith University. He was awarded his PhD in biomechanical modelling of the musculoskeletal system in 2003 and has gone on to publish extensively in musculoskeletal biomechanics, most notably on muscle and tendon pathology and falls in older adults. He has been a chief investigator on multiple NHMRC and multiple ARC grants and has supervised over 30 higher degree research and honours students to completion. Rod has served as President of the Australian and New Society of Biomechanics and is an editorial board member for several leading journals in his field.
Associate Professor Rosanne Coutts
Associate Professor Rosanne Coutts is accredited with the Exercise and Sports Science Australia as an Exercise Physiologist and Sport Scientist (Sport Psychology). She practices in Exercise Physiology and teaches Sport and Exercise Psychology at Southern Cross University. Her clinical practice has a particular expertise in rehabilitation following fatiguing illness. She has been involved in several investigations into the efficacy of physical activity for special populations. Her development of graded walking as an activity for individuals diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has been incorporated into the current Australian Medical Guidelines. Her approaches to practice include the construction of evidence-based interventions for the use of physical activity and exercise approaches that further enhance behavioural change towards a lifestyle approach to health and wellbeing.
Dr Ryan Timmins
Ryan Timmins is a Lecturer at the Australian Catholic University (Melbourne) as well part of the High-Performance team at the Melbourne Victory Football Club. Prior to moving to Melbourne, Ryan held various roles with the Queensland Academy of Sport Mens Football Program, Brisbane Strikers, and Brisbane Roar. During his now 10 years in elite sport, Ryan has been mainly working on athlete injury prevention and rehabilitation as well as facets of strength and conditioning. Ryan completed his PhD at the Australian Catholic University in 2016, focussing on factors which are associated with an increased likelihood of injury and potential interventions to mitigate these risks. Ryan was also awarded the ASICS Medal for the Best Paper of the Conference at the Sports Medicine Australia Conference on the Gold Coast in 2015. Ryan is also a Level 2 Strength and Conditioning Coach with the Australian Strength & Conditioning Association and part of the Professional Standards Advisory Council, Course Accreditation and the Ethics and Disciplinary Committees of ESSA. Ryan continues to undertake research within injury prevention and rehabilitation, with a focus now being on programs which can be implemented in elite sporting environments.
Professor Stephen Bird
Professor Stephen Bird is the Head of Exercise and Sport Science at Swinburne University. He is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) with over 35 years of experience teaching universities in the UK and Australia. His expertise is in the areas of exercise physiology and health enhancing physical activity, exercise, and ageing, as well as formerly in the field of elite sport. He has been the external examiner for undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees in more than 20 Universities. Professor Bird has authored seven books as well as ten contributing chapters to others. In addition to his research publications, which number around 100, he has authored over 100 magazine articles in the field of exercise, health, and sport, as well as advising national bodies. He has broad industry experience across the field of exercise science encompassing work with coronary rehabilitation programs, health promoting physical activity and elite sport. He has held positions for national bodies in both the UK and Australia, and his work has led him to be recognised with awards including being made a Fellow of several international organisation.
Associate Professor Stuart Warmington
Stuart Warmington is an Associate Professor in Exercise Physiology within the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University. Stuart has over 20 years’ experience in academia since graduating with a PhD in Physiology from the University of Melbourne, including Lecturer within the Department of Physiology, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland (1998-2008) with roles as Coordinator of the Masters in Exercise Physiology and Deputy Head of Department, before being appointed to Deakin where he is currently the Associate Head of School (Teaching and Learning) appointed to oversee all UG and PG teaching programmes in Exercise and Sport Science. Stuart is an implementation scientist with a current major research focus on the application of blood flow restriction exercise to improve muscle health in populations such as older adults, dialysis patients and the wider home-based training community. In addition, Stuart has interests in athlete health examined using heart rate metrics during recovery with a focus on associations with sleep that extends to first responders (athletes) in military settings. Stuart has collectively supervised more than 20 PhD and Masters students to completion as well as 30+ Honours students, and has a long history of scientific society membership, being a current member of ESSA, the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), the Physiological Society and the Australian Physiological Society.
Mr Thomas Kimmet
Mr Tom Kimmet is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist working within the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science at Curtin University, Perth. Tom possesses extensive industry experience in exercise science and clinical exercise physiology settings and has spent the past 3 years developing and coordinating exercise clinics at both Curtin University and Victoria University, Melbourne. In his time at both institutions, Tom has been an active contributor to AEP curriculum design and accreditation processes, in addition to coordinating student practicum programs at undergraduate and post-graduate level. A member of ClinExEd, Tom is a passionate educator and has academic teaching experience across a variety of domains, specialising in professional and ethical exercise practice.
Professor Timothy Carroll
Professor Carroll is the current program director of the Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science (BExSS) degree program at the University of Queensland. He completed his doctorate in Neuroscience at the University of Queensland in 2001 and has been an Academic and educator working in professionally orientated University degree programs at the University of New South Wales and the University of Queensland since 2003. Associate Professor Carroll's expertise lies in the broad field of integrative human physiology. His work spans the fields of exercise science and integrative neuroscience, with a focus on determining how the central nervous system is reorganised because of motor learning and exercise. He has a specific interest in strength training. He has published over 80 peer-reviewed articles and his work has been funded without interruption by the Australian Research Council (ARC) since 2004.
Mr Timothy Miller
Tim Miller is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist who has been practising since 2014. Tim has extensive experience across a range of settings including public and private hospitals, private practice, and the university sector. He has clinical experience working with a broad range of pathology domains in both an acute and chronic context. As a clinician, Tim has supervised placement hours for many Exercise Physiology students. Additionally, he has experience in the coordination of student placements at both the University of Wollongong and Charles Sturt University. Tim is currently employed as a Lecturer in Clinical Exercise Physiology at Charles Sturt University where he coordinates subjects regarding the management of musculoskeletal, metabolic, and renal pathologies, as well as a subject concerning the Australian workers’ compensation schemes. Tim continues to remain clinically active, consulting with a wide variety of clients from a clinic on Charles Sturt University’s Bathurst campus.
Ms Vanessa Nguy
Vanessa is an experienced exercise physiologist with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. She is skilled in clinical education, student development and exercise prescription and delivery for neurological and disability populations. Vanessa is currently completing a PhD focusing on pain management in Parkinson's disease at University of Sydney.