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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Personalised approaches to lung therapy
Dr. Adams’ research focus is on lung cancer, which is the deadliest of all cancers worldwide. He is working towards developing personalised approaches to pinpoint a therapy that is going to be most effective for the person with that disease. Dr. Adams’ research is focusing on chemotherapy and targeted therapy, and he is trying to identify upfront which of those tumours are likely to be resistant to the therapy. He then identifies strategies that will resensitize or increase the sensitivity of the tumour to the standard of care that is targeted therapy or chemotherapy.
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Liver cancer biomarkers, risk prediction & progression
Dr. Rodrigo Carlessi is an expert in Cancer Genomics and Molecular Biology, with an extensive track record in liver cancer research. He leads the Cancer Genomics Group within the Liver Disease and Regeneration Laboratory at the Curtin Medical Research Institute. He has an impressive publication record, with 43 manuscripts that have collectively garnered over 2,680 citations. His research leverages cutting-edge genomics and transcriptomics technologies, as well as long-read DNA sequencing, to explore mechanisms, identify biomarkers, and develop therapeutic targets in liver disease and cancer.
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Clinical pathways for acute care in Tasmanian Emergency Departments
Assoc Prof Viet Tran has built Emergency Medicine Research in Tasmania from the ground up, which has culminated in the success of a AUD$3 million Australian Government Medical Research Futures Fund grant looking into the Implementation of Clinical Pathways for Acute Care in Tasmania project. Dr Tran is also the Emergency Medicine Discipline lead within the Tasmanian School of Medicine and has key roles to play within Emergency Medicine training. He feels privileged to be able to teach and mentor across the whole spectrum of becoming a doctor, from watching students grow into junior doctors, senior registrar and as fellow medical specialists.
