About Us
Who are we?
The Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine (CHESM) was established in October 2000 as a multidisciplinary centre within the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, administered through the Department of Physiotherapy.
We combine high calibre researchers with experienced clinicians from a range of disciplines including physiotherapy, medicine, science, exercise science and podiatry. We also has a number of internationally recognised clinical associates and research collaborators.
What do we do?
The Centre's activities fall under three main areas:
- Research – including post doctoral training
- Education – research higher degree supervision and teaching within the undergraduate and postgraduate curricula
- Engagement – ensuring research has an impact in the general and professional communities
View our most recent annual report for more information. You can also view our annual report from the year before.
What is our focus?
Our main research focus is on the role of conservative strategies, particularly exercise, in promoting overall health and well being and in preventing and managing the public health problems that are currently facing society. To do this, a lifespan approach is taken from childhood through to the elderly years.
A particular focus is the prevention and management of musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis.
Our People
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Prof Kim Bennell
CHESM Director
Stream Co-leader – Musculoskeletal
Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor, NHMRC Leadership Fellow, Dame Kate Campbell Fellow -
Prof Rana Hinman
CHESM Deputy Director
Stream Co-leader – Musculoskeletal
NHMRC Senior Research Fellow -
A/Prof Adam Bryant
Stream Leader – Sports Medicine
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Dr Kim Allison
Lecturer in Physiotherapy
Post-doctoral Research Fellow
Department of Physiotherapy -
Penny Campbell
Research Scientist
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A/Prof Fiona Dobson
Deputy Head of Physiotherapy
Senior Lecturer
Department of Physiotherapy -
Zobaida Edib
Research Scientist
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Dr Thorlene Egerton
Senior Lecturer
Department of Physiotherapy -
A/Prof Stephanie Filbay
NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow
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Bridget Graham
Research Scientist
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Alex Kimp
Research Scientist
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Gabby Knox
Research Scientist
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A/Prof Karen Lamb
Principal Research Fellow
Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health -
Dr Belinda Lawford
Post-doctoral Research Fellow
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Fiona McManus
Research Scientist
Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health -
Ben Metcalf
Research Scientist
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Dr Mark Merolli
Senior Lecturer and Research Fellow
School of Health Sciences -
Dr Rachel Nelligan
Post-doctoral Research Scientist
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Jesse Pardo
Research Scientist
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A/Prof Kade Paterson
NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow
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Sam Shearer
Research Scientist
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Libby Spiers
Research Scientist
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Dr Scott Starkey
Post-doctoral Research Scientist
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Sarah Stratulate
Research Scientist
Research Higher Degree students
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Pei Wei Chi, PhD Candidate
"Effects of modifiable athletic footwear features on running and landing biomechanics of healthy young females: Implications for the development of knee pain syndromes and ACL injury" -
Sam Kayll, PhD Candidate
"The effects of foot-based interventions on patellofemoral joint loads in people with and without patellofemoral disorders" -
Travis Haber, PhD Candidate
"Enhancing the therapeutic effects of exercise for hip and knee osteoarthritis" -
My-Linh Nguyen, PhD Candidate
"Using behavioural economics and health behaviour theory to improve participation in physical activity" -
Ayobami Olanrewaju, PhD Candidate
"Patterns of physical activity pre- and post- total knee replacement, assessed through the linkage of NHS and consumer health and fitness tracker data" -
Patrick Rowe, PhD Candidate
"The Prevention and Management of Ankle Sprains and Chronic Ankle Instability in Netball" -
Emma Searle, PhD Candidate
"A digital health intervention to increase physical activity participation in individuals with knee osteoarthritis" -
Julia Zhu, PhD Candidate
"Development of implementation strategies and more impactful physiotherapy for individuals with knee osteoarthritis"