OPTIMISING RURAL MUSCULOSKELETAL HEALTH
Adnan Asger Ali, PhD candidate
The University of Sydney &
Director & Principal Physiotherapist
Accelerate Physiotherapy, Canberra, Australia &
Chair of Business and Finance Committee,
International Federation of Manual and Musculoskeletal Physical Therapists Incorporated (IFOMPT) &
Chair, National Musculoskeletal Committee,
Australian Physiotherapy Association
RESEARCHER PROFILE
Filmed in Canberra, Australia | September 2025
Adnan Asger Ali is a Director of Accelerate Physiotherapy and PhD candidate at The University of Sydney, where he is researching implementation strategies for musculoskeletal care pathways in rural Australia as part of the PACE-RURAL project.
Graduating from The University of Canberra, Adnan completed a Masters in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy at La Trobe University and a Masters in Pain Management at The University of Sydney. He is one of few physiotherapists in Australia holding dual APA titles as both Musculoskeletal and Pain Physiotherapist.
A passionate advocate for physiotherapy, Adnan serves as Chair of the Australian Physiotherapy Association’s National Musculoskeletal Committee and sits on the Capital Health Network’s Clinical Council. His commitment to clinical excellence was recognised when he received Physiotherapist of the Year at the 2023 Allied Health Awards.
Adnan has extensive sports physiotherapy experience, currently working with Tennis Australia treating professional players on international tours and at The Australian Open. Through his research and clinical practice, he is dedicated to improving access to evidence-based musculoskeletal care for all Australians.
Source: Supplied
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Genomics and rationally targeted therapies in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
Prof Deborah White’s research focus is genomics and rationally targeted therapies in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) and Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) and she holds peer reviewed grants from: The William Lawrence and Blanche Hughes Foundation and the Leukemia Lymphoma Society (USA), the NHMRC, the Leukaemia Foundation Australia (LFA), Channel 7, Cancer Australia, Tour de Cure and the Cancer Council SA (CCSA). Professor White has presented more than 170 papers at scientific meetings, and authored more than 100 scientific publications as well as being an inventor on several international patents.
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Next Generation Condom Contraception, Dr Simon Cook
Dr. Simon Cook, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Operations at Eudaemon Technologies, has had a diverse and impactful career journey. Beginning with a background in biotechnology from the University of Wollongong, his focus on bacterial pathogenesis during his PhD led him to study Group A Strep and the streptokinase protein.
Subsequently, Dr. Cook ventured into a unique project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, where he became involved in the development of a next-generation condom to address existing issues such as feel, odour, and taste.
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Interventions for improving outcomes of children who are deaf or hard of hearing
Professor Teresa Ching is a Conjoint Professor at NextSense Institute and Macquarie University, and an Honorary Professor at the University of Queensland in Australia. Her current research focuses on devising culturally sensitive practices in early detection and intervention to maximise children’s outcomes. Working with international colleagues, her current research is also directed towards developing global guidelines and recommendations for hearing screening beyond the newborn period, so that all children can benefit from early detection and intervention. The ultimate goal is to attain equity of care and outcomes for all children with hearing difficulties.
