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:
2023 annual report
2022 annual report
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 Co-Director
Stream Co-leader – Osteoarthritis
Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor, NHMRC Leadership Fellow, Dame Kate Campbell Fellow -
Prof Rana Hinman
CHESM Co-Director
Stream Co-leader – Osteoarthritis
NHMRC Senior Research Fellow -
A/Prof Kade Paterson
CHESM Deputy Director
Stream Co-leader – Musculoskeletal & Sports MedicineNHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow
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A/Prof Adam Bryant
Stream Leader – Human movement and biomechanics
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A/Prof Stephanie Filbay
Stream Co-leader – Musculoskeletal & Sports Medicine
NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow
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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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Dr Anurika De Silva
Principal Research Fellow
Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health -
A/Prof Fiona Dobson
Deputy Head of Physiotherapy
Senior Lecturer
Department of Physiotherapy -
Dr Thorlene Egerton
Senior Lecturer
Department of Physiotherapy -
Bridget Graham
Research Scientist
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Dr Travis Haber
Post-doctoral Research Fellow
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Dr Sam Kayll
Post-doctoral Research Fellow
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Alex Kimp
Research Scientist
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Dr Maddison Kirk
Post-doctoral Research Fellow
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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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Peixuan Li
Research Scientist
Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health -
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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Liz Pattison
Research Scientist
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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
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Dr Julia Zhu
Post-doctoral Research Fellow
Research Higher Degree students
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Allen Kent, PhD Candidate
"The effects of knee joint morphology on ACL reinjury following ACL reconstruction" -
Kelli Kim, PhD Candidate
"Developing and/or testing a brief dietary counselling intervention for non-dietary specialists in primary care to encourage and support weight loss." -
Linh Nguyen, PhD Candidate
"Development of an anatomically and biomechanically informed musculoskeletal ankle model and its application in adults with chronic ankle instability" -
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" -
Elsa Tang, PhD Candidate
"Shoulder force control in rotator cuff pathologies: neuromuscular mechanisms, structural factors, and clinical outcomes" -
Simmo Tao, PhD Candidate
"Exploring the impact of sleep problems on people with chronic musculoskeletal pain"