Our core research team
Deakin University | Co-Principal Investigator
Dr Lisa Grech
Dr Lisa Grech is a registered psychologist and senior research fellow in the School of Psychology at Deakin University.
Her research program aims to improve health and lifestyle outcomes in people with chronic health conditions, predominantly multiple sclerosis (MS) and cancer, through a multidisciplinary focus, including healthcare practitioners, community supports and patient.
As a practicing psychologist, Dr Grech is committed to a clinician-researcher model. As a person with MS and parent to her daughter who has an intellectual disability, Dr Grech is passionate about inclusion and equality in healthcare, disability services and academia.
Griffith University | The Bone Clinic | Chief Investigator
Prof Belinda Beck
Dr Belinda Beck is a Professor in the School of Health Sciences & Social Work and member of the Menzies Health Institute Queensland at Griffith University, Gold Coast campus where she has taught musculoskeletal anatomy and conducted bone research for over 20 years.
She has established The Bone Clinic in 2015 to roll out the ONERO™ program, which had now been licensed to practitioners around Australia on a mission to prevent osteoporotic fracture. She has been awarded over $3M in research funding, published over 100 scientific papers, and presented almost 200 abstracts at conferences and symposia nationally and internationally.
Dr Beck also serves on the Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee of Healthy Bones Australia, and the Healthy Bones Australia National Consumer Advisory Committee.
Deakin University | Chief Investigator
Assoc Prof David Scott
Dr David Scott is an Associated Professor at Deakin University, and a member of the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN). He is an exercise scientist and completed a PhD on lifestyle factors associated with skeletal muscle mass and function in older people at the University of Tasmania in 2010.
His research focuses on age-related changes in skeletal muscle (sarcopenia), bone health (osteoporosis) and adiposity (obesity), their effect on risk for falls, fracture and disability in older adults, and exercise and nutrition approaches for their prevention and management.
To date, he has published over 240 journal articles and book chapters and regularly provides presentations at national and international conferences.
Monash University | Co-Principal Investigator
Assoc Prof Ayse Zengin
Dr Ayse Zengin is the Head of Bone and Muscle Research Group and has been a Research Fellow within the School of Clinical Science at Monash University since 2016.
Dr Zengin’s main research interests are investigating the muscle-bone relationship within the ageing population, imaging bone with advanced technology and the role of nutrition on skeletal health in the elderly across ethnic populations.
In 2021, she was awarded the Dean’s Award for Research Excellence (Early Career Researcher) from the Faculty of Medicine (Monash University) in recognition of her work towards improving musculoskeletal health in underserved populations.
Edith Cowan University | Chief Investigator
Dr Marc Sim
Dr Marc Sim is a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Medical and Health Sciences within the Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute (NHIRI) at Edith Cowan University.
He established and leads the Falls Free Future Program within NHIRI and is the Deputy Lead for the Disorders of Mineralisation Research Group at ECU.
His key research interests are in musculoskeletal health (e.g., reducing falls & associated injuries) and its intersection with nutrition, physical activity, and cardiovascular health in aging populations.
He is an accredited Exercise and Sport Scientist (Level 2) and registered Nutritionist. He also currently serves on Council for the Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society (ANZBMS).
Frankston Neurology | Chief Investigator
Ms Michelle Allan
Ms Allan is a Senior Nurse Practitioner that specialises in neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis (focusing on symptom management and lifestyle interventions).
Monash University | Chief Investigator
Dr Nevin John
Dr John is a Neurologist and Multiple Sclerosis Specialist with 7 years experience in clinical research management, specifically focusing on multiple sclerosis, health data analysis and other clinical areas.
Monash University | Chief Investigator
Dr Alan Herschtal
Dr Herschtal is a Biostatistician with 15 years experience in Biostatistics. They have co-authored over 40 publications with a focus on data-driven insights in clinical research.
Mater Centre for Neurosciences | Associate Investigator
Dr Stefan Blum
Dr Blum is a Neurologist at Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) and the Mater Centre for Neuroscience. He runs dedicated multiple sclerosis (MS) and Neuroimmunology clinics at PAH, leading in modern MS therapies.
Perron Institute | Associate Investigator
Prof Allan Kermode
Prof Kermode is the Director of the Demyelinating Diseases Centre at the Perron Institute, Adjunct Professor of Neuroimmunology at Murdoch University, Clinical Professor of Neurology at the University of Western Australia, and Visiting Professor at Sun Yat Sen University, PR China.
Perron Institute | Chief Investigator
Ms Linh Le-Kavanagh
Ms Kavanagh has 12 years of experience in research coordination and clinical patient management. She has worked primarily in chronic conditions research such as multiple sclerosis and osteoporosis.
Perron Institute | Chief Investigator
Prof William Carol
Prof Carroll is a highly experienced Consultant Neurologist with over 35 years experience working with the Perron Institute, Sir Charles Gardner Hospital and St John of God Hospital.
Deakin University | Chief Investigator
Dr Jakub Mesinovic
Dr Mesinovic is a Research Fellow with 6 years of experience in muscle physiology and multiple sclerosis research. His key research focus areas are muscle function/movement, multiple sclerosis, and physical resistance training.
Deakin University | Associate Investigator
Prof Jennifer Watts
Prof. Watts is a Professor and Head of the School of Health and Social
Development at Deakin University.
Monash Health | Associate Investigator
Ms Phoebe Sansom
Ms Sansom is a Senior Clinician Physiotherapist based in the Acute Neurosciences Unit
Monash Health | Associate Investigator
Ms Charlotte Scroggie
Ms Scroggie is the Neurosciences Physiotherapist Clinical Lead in the Monash Health Physiotherapy Department
Deakin University | Associate Investigator
Dr Julie Abimanyi-Ochom
Senior Lecturer in Public Health, Deputy Co-Chair HSD Academic Progress and Integrity Committee, and Course Director for Honours in Bachelor of Health Science and Honours in Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion.
Monash University | Chief Investigator
Assoc Prof Ernest Butler
A/Prof Butler is a Neurologist with over 30 years of experience in MS research. A/Prof Butler originally established Frankston Neurology and was instrumental in setting up both a highly renowned general neurology service as well as the area’s only specialised Multiple Sclerosis Clinic.
Deakin University | Chief Investigator
Dr Paul Jansons
Dr Jansons is a Exercise Physiologist with 8 years of experience in exercise physiology, multiple sclerosis and osteoporosis, specialising in exercise interventions for chronic conditions.
Monash University | Chief Investigator
Prof Peter Ebeling
Prof. Ebeling is a national leader in osteoporosis and was the developer of the first iteration of the RACGP guidelines for osteoporosis management which is used nationally. He has over 40 years experience in clinical trials in osteoporosis and related endocrine conditions.
Nigel Caswell
Mr Caswell is an MS Ambassador for People with MS Victoria. He is also a member of several hospital committees, the MS Advisory Council and President of People with Multiple Sclerosis Victoria. Mr Caswell was appointed as the Head Chair of the Lived Experience Committee.
L.E. Ohman
Ms Ohman is an MS Ambassador for People with MS Victoria, contributing to multiple research studies in the lived experience space. They also were awarded the most Outstanding Volunteer Award by MS Australia in 2023.
Alison Reece
Ms Reece is an MS Ambassador for People with MS Victoria (along with her partner, Roger). She is also a member of the MS Australia Lived Experience Panel (LEEP), which supports outreach and advocacy to ensure the MS community has a strong voice inside MS Australia’s governance.
Mia Poposka
Ms Poposka has been responsible for forming a MS support group on Facebook with a global membership of 6000+. She is now excited to offer her knowledge and consideration as a fresh contributor to the MS lived experience space.
Our research partners and collaborators
