Mary Galea

Mary Pauline Galea AM FAHMS (born 1951) is an Australian physiotherapist and neuroscientist at University of Melbourne. She resides in Melbourne, Australia. Galea is a professorial fellow at the University of Melbourne's Department of Medicine at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and a Senior Principal Fellow in the Florey Institute of Neurosciences and Mental Health. She was foundation professor of clinical physiotherapy and director of the Rehabilitation Sciences Research Centre at the University of Melbourne and Austin Health. She is internationally recognised for her work in spinal cord injury and rehabilitative interventions.[1]

Mary Galea
CitizenshipAustralian
Alma materUniversity of Melbourne
AwardsVictorian Honour Roll, 2014 Member of the Order of Australia, 2019
Scientific career
FieldsNeuroscience, physiotherapy, rehabilitation
InstitutionsThe University of Melbourne

Education
  • Graduate Diploma in Epidemiological Biostatistics, University of Melbourne (2005)
  • Graduate Certificate in Clinical Trials Management, University of Canberra (2000)
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Melbourne (1992)
  • Bachelor of Arts, University of Melbourne (1987)
  • Graduate Diploma of Physiotherapy (Neuro), Lincoln (1987)
  • Graduate Diploma in Neuroscience, Lincoln (1986)
  • Bachelor of Applied Science, Physiotherapy, Lincoln (1978)
  • Diploma in Physiotherapy, Lincoln (1972)

Work

Galea established the Rehabilitation Sciences Research Centre[2] in 2004, where she acted as director. Her research focuses on interventions for the promotion of recovery after spinal cord injury.[3] In 2009, Galea led a series of multi-site clinical trials investigating exercise as an intervention to improve hand function and aid recovery after spinal cord injury. The five year 'Spinal Cord Injury & Physical Activity (SCIPA) program was funded as part of the Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative, and was designed to examine the impact of exercise in spinal cord rehabilitation.[4] Seven spinal Units were established across Australia and New Zealand, implementing randomised controlled clinical trials of novel rehabilitation strategies directed at neuromuscular activation of lower limbs.[5]

Galea was instrumental in establishing the Royal Melbourne Hospital's Hand Hub, with funding by the Department of Health.[6] The Hand Hub uses robotic devices, sensors and gaming technology to provide intensive hand and arm therapy to patients for rehabilitation following stroke or other neurological injury.

Awards and honours

Galea has held honorary professorships The University of Sydney, Discipline of Exercise and Sport Science, The University of Queensland, School of Health and Rehabilitative Sciences, Brisbane, Australia (2011–2013). She was adjunct professor at James Cook University, School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences, Townsville, Australia from 2010-2013. She is adjunct professor at Victoria University, Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living. She is a chief investigator in the Spinal Research Institute.[1]

In 2007, Galea was awarded the prestigious Churchill Fellowship, by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.[7][8] To mark International Women's Day, in 2014, Galea was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women by former Victorian Premier Denis Napthine and the former Minister for Women's Affairs, Heidi Victoria.[9]

Galea was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2019 Australia Day Honours for "significant service to medical education in the field of clinical physiotherapy, and to professional associations".[10]

In 2020 Galea was elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.[11]

References
  1. "People". www.thesri.org. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  2. "Centre of Clinical Research Excellence- Rehabilitative Sciences Research Centre". Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  3. "PubMed: Mary Galea". Archived from the original on 6 April 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  4. "New hope through rehab given to people with spinal cord injuries : News : The University of Melbourne". archive.uninews.unimelb.edu.au. Archived from the original on 12 March 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  5. "SCIPA Program". www.thesri.org. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  6. "2014 Australia's first dedicated hand rehabilitation unit opens | Melbourne Health Website". www.mh.org.au. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  7. "Mary Galea". Winston Churchill Memorial Trust. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  8. "Austin Health Media Release" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2009. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  9. "Prestigious award for Professor Mary Galea". 3 April 2014. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  10. "Professor Mary Pauline Galea". honours.pmc.gov.au. Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  11. "Academy elects 28 new Fellows". AAHMS - Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. 14 October 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
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