Showcasing Research Impact: Falls Prevention Takes Centre Stage at WACHA Networking Event

We’re proud to support research that makes a real-world difference. Recently, one of our funded researchers, Professor Anne-Marie Hill, and her team at the WA Centre for Health and Ageing (WACHA) brought together experts, clinicians, and early career researchers for a powerful conversation on ageing well and preventing falls.

The biannual WACHA Healthy and Ageing Networking Event, titled “Falls Prevention: A Multidisciplinary Approach”, highlighted fresh perspectives and innovative work across the fields of physiotherapy, optometry, and public health.

Backed by RPH Research Foundation funding, Professor Hill’s team is driving evidence-based solutions that translate into better outcomes for older adults, and this event was a showcase of that ongoing impact.

We’re proud to support research that makes a real-world difference. Recently, one of our funded researchers, Professor Anne-Marie Hill, and her team at the WA Centre for Health and Ageing (WACHA) brought together experts, clinicians, and early career researchers for a powerful conversation on ageing well and preventing falls.

The biannual WACHA Healthy and Ageing Networking Event, titled “Falls Prevention: A Multidisciplinary Approach”, highlighted fresh perspectives and innovative work across the fields of physiotherapy, optometry, and public health.

Backed by RPH Research Foundation funding, Professor Hill’s team is driving evidence-based solutions that translate into better outcomes for older adults, and this event was a showcase of that ongoing impact.

Spotlight on Emerging Researchers

The event featured engaging presentations from a diverse team of early career researchers and postdoctoral fellows, each offering insights into how their disciplines are contributing to healthier ageing and falls prevention:

• Dr Jennifer Dunne, PhD – Research Fellow, Epidemiologist, and Statistician at the Dementia Centre of Excellence, enAble Institute, Curtin University. Dr Dunne presented her work on developing models to predict dementia in a Western Australian cohort.

• Dr Jo-Aine Hang, PhD – Postdoctoral Fellow, UWA School of Allied Health, WACHA; Lecturer, The University of Notre Dame Australia; and Senior Physiotherapist in Gerontology. Dr Hang presented on the TrEdEx project, which focuses on training community healthcare staff to deliver a novel falls prevention program comprising validated education and exercise modules.

• Jimena (Mena) Garcia-Vega, MNeuRehab – PhD Candidate, UWA School of Allied Health; APA Titled Neurological Physiotherapist, Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group; and Churchill Fellow. Mena presented on perceptual verticality disorder and its association with falls in neurosurgical patients diagnosed with brain tumours.

• Si Ye (Benjamin) Lee, MOptom – PhD Candidate, Department of Optometry and Vision Science, UWA, and WACHA. Ben presented the second study from his PhD work, which explores the role of optometrists in bridging the gap in community-based falls prevention.

Spotlight on Emerging Researchers

The event featured engaging presentations from a diverse team of early career researchers and postdoctoral fellows, each offering insights into how their disciplines are contributing to healthier ageing and falls prevention:

• Dr Jennifer Dunne, PhD – Research Fellow, Epidemiologist, and Statistician at the Dementia Centre of Excellence, enAble Institute, Curtin University. Dr Dunne presented her work on developing models to predict dementia in a Western Australian cohort.

• Dr Jo-Aine Hang, PhD – Postdoctoral Fellow, UWA School of Allied Health, WACHA; Lecturer, The University of Notre Dame Australia; and Senior Physiotherapist in Gerontology. Dr Hang presented on the TrEdEx project, which focuses on training community healthcare staff to deliver a novel falls prevention program comprising validated education and exercise modules.

• Jimena (Mena) Garcia-Vega, MNeuRehab – PhD Candidate, UWA School of Allied Health; APA Titled Neurological Physiotherapist, Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group; and Churchill Fellow. Mena presented on perceptual verticality disorder and its association with falls in neurosurgical patients diagnosed with brain tumours.

• Si Ye (Benjamin) Lee, MOptom – PhD Candidate, Department of Optometry and Vision Science, UWA, and WACHA. Ben presented the second study from his PhD work, which explores the role of optometrists in bridging the gap in community-based falls prevention.

Community and Collaboration at the Forefront

Attended by clinicians from across Perth, academic researchers, and representatives from industry groups including Injury Matters, the event fostered meaningful dialogue across disciplines. It reinforced the importance of collaboration in improving the lives of older Western Australians.

As Professor Hill and her team continue to advance research into healthy ageing, we look forward to the next WACHA Healthy and Ageing Networking Event later this year. 

Community and Collaboration at the Forefront

Attended by clinicians from across Perth, academic researchers, and representatives from industry groups including Injury Matters, the event fostered meaningful dialogue across disciplines. It reinforced the importance of collaboration in improving the lives of older Western Australians.

As Professor Hill and her team continue to advance research into healthy ageing, we look forward to the next WACHA Healthy and Ageing Networking Event later this year.