Professor in Biomechanics at the University of the Sunshine Coast
Brendan Burkett (OAM) is a professional engineer, a Professor in Biomechanics at the University of the Sunshine Coast, and a Paralympic swimming champion. Brendan competed at 4 Paralympic Games and won several medals, leading the Australian team into the opening ceremony at the Sydney 2000 Games. The combination of engineering and human movement qualifications, along with sporting experience, has provided Brendan with a solid understanding of human anatomy and the requirements for 'sport spotlights'. His focus on sports technology for people with disability is recognised through his Institution of Engineers, Australia, award in 2000 for Professional Engineer of the Year, and by his participation in the 2008 Prime Minister's 2020 Summit.
Danielle Dye
Lecturer in human biology, histology, biotechnology and research methods at Curtin University
Danielle Dye is a Lecturer in human biology, histology, biotechnology and research methods at Curtin University, having commenced there in 2010 as an Early Career Research Fellow. She holds a PhD in cell biology from the University of Western Australia and a BSc (Honours) from Curtin University. Danielle's research focuses on the interactions between cells and the extracellular environment, with a dual focus on melanoma metastasis and muscle regeneration. She has published over 30 journal articles and 1 book chapter. She is active on the Western Australia committees of the Australian Society for Medical Research and the Human Genetics Society of Australasia.
Julie Cooke
Assistant Professor Anatomy and Physiology in the discipline of sport and exercise science at the University of Canberra
Julie Cooke is an Assistant Professor Anatomy and Physiology in the discipline of sport and exercise science at the University of Canberra. Julie commenced her teaching career in 1998 at the Copenhagen International School where she taught biology. She completed a BSc (Hons) at Flinders University, South Australia, and received her PhD from the University of Adelaide in 2000. Julie has a passion for teaching and enjoys engaging students so that studying is easier and more enjoyable.
She is an active member of Exercise Sports Science Australia and Sports Medicine Australia.
Tara Diversi
Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at Bond University
Tara Diversi (BHSc, GradDipPsyc, PostGradDipPsyc, MBA, MNutr & Diet) is an Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at Bond University. She is an accredited practising dietitian and advanced sports dietitian. Her current research is aligned with her sporting passion of marathon and channel swimming. She has worked a number of years as an expert in holistic nutrition in private practice, private and public health consultancy, media and academia. Tara combines her expertise in nutrition with food psychology to help people achieve outcomes that are personalised, sustainable and suited to their individual lifestyle and goals. She lives with her family on their grass-fed cattle property in north Queensland.
Mark McKean
Research Fellow at the University of the Sunshine Coast
Mark McKean is a Research Fellow at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He has an extensive background in both fitness and strength and conditioning, coaching athletes in a range of sports to Olympic, Paralympic and World Championship medals. Mark is an accredited exercise physiologist with ESSA, a certified strength and conditioning specialist through NSCA America, a level three strength and conditioning coach and master coach with ASCA, and a level 3 exercise professional with Fitness Australia. Mark provides consulting services to sporting and fitness organisations, and conducts workshops and lectures both nationally and internationally.
Rebecca Mellifont
Senior Lecturer in Sport Science (Anatomy) at the University of the Sunshine Coast
Rebecca Mellifont is a Senior Lecturer in Sport Science (Anatomy) at the University of the Sunshine Coast. She completed her postdoctoral studies at the Sport Science Institute of South Africa in Cape Town, and in 2011 completed a Graduate Certificate of Professional Learning. Rebecca's interests have developed from her PhD research in comparative anatomy, and her current research interests lie in the study of the biomechanics and three-dimensional analysis of gait analysis in children and sport applications, particularly swimming technique (and race analysis). Rebecca has been a biomechanist and sport scientist for the Australian Paralympic Swim Team, and has an interest in the scholarship of teaching and developing ways to improve the delivery and uptake of material (lecture and practical) in a higher education setting.
Latika Samalia
Professional Practice Fellow at the Anatomy Department of the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
Latika Samalia is a Professional Practice Fellow at the Anatomy Department of the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, where she teaches clinical anatomy in a number of undergraduate and postgraduate professional courses. She teaches the early and advanced learning in medicine, head and neck anatomy to dental students, and musculoskeletal and reproductive anatomy to physiotherapy and pharmacy students. Latika received her medical degree (DSM) from the Fiji School of Medicine and her postgraduate degree in Science in Anatomy from the University of Otago.
After practising obstetrics and gynaecology for a number of years, she took up academia. Latika has been instrumental in initiating and running a number of postgraduate anatomy workshops in her department, focusing on various clinical disciplines. She is passionate in promoting clinical anatomy education and is a highly devoted teacher, having been rewarded with several student and university teaching awards.
Gregory Peoples
Senior Lecturer in the School of Medicine at the University of Wollongong, Australia
Gregory Peoples (Bachelor of Biomedical Science, first class honours; PhD) is currently a Senior Lecturer in the School of Medicine at the University of Wollongong, Australia. His primary training is medical science with a particular research focus on exercise and nutritional physiology. His research publications have emphasised the important role of omega-3 fish oil in the human diet to optimise heart and skeletal muscle function. Gregory has 10 years' experience coordinating and lecturing undergraduate human anatomy and physiology at the University of Wollongong. His programs have been designed and implemented for students studying courses in exercise science and nutrition and have an emphasis on the applied nature of these professions, underpinned with a sound application of science.
