Exploring the conduct of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research.
Our people
Murru Minya is a National Research Project, led by a multi-disciplinary team of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers.
A/Prof Michelle Kennedy (Wiradjuri)
Lead Investigator
Michelle is a Wiradjuri woman from central NSW. Michelle is an NHMRC early-career researcher, partnering with Aboriginal communities to place the power in their hands and address an important area to improve Indigenous health: smoking during pregnancy. Michelle’s research is fuelled by a genuine desire to collaborate with Indigenous communities, listen to people’s experiences and share their stories. In 2019, Michelle’s work was recognised for its contribution to community health when she received the nationally prestigious Lowitja Institute Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Award.
Professor Catherine Chamberlain (Palawa Trawlwoolway)
Catherine is a descendant of the Palawa Trawlwoolway People (Tasmania), with over 25 of years experience in reproductive and child health, including program and hospital service management, policy implementation, guideline development, evidence-based practice, and research. Catherine draws on her expertise and evidence to bring a unique perspective to the Murru Minya project
Professor Jacqui Hughes (Wagadagam, Torres Strait Islander)
Professor Jacqui Hughes is a Wagadagam, Torres Strait Islander woman, and a Darwin-based clinical researcher at Flinders University, and a specialist physician (nephrologist). Her research program focuses on health service strengthening and optimal patient-centred-renal care, which is aligned with the values of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and community. For more information please go to;
Dr Jamie Bryant
Jamie is a health behavioural scientist with a long-standing interest and commitment to improving health outcomes. Jamie's current work spans a number of areas including Indigenous health, cancer prevention (smoking and alcohol use), and dementia. Jamie works collaboratively with Aboriginal Health Services and stakeholders to improve health outcomes and will bring a strong skill set to the Murru Minya Project.
Professor Raymond Lovett (Wongaibon Ngiyampaa)
Raymond Lovett (BN, RN, BHSc, MAE, PhD) is an Aboriginal (Wongaibon/Ngiyampaa) epidemiologist with extensive experience in health services research, large scale data analysis for public health policy and evaluation. Ray leads Mayi Kuwayu, the National Study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing and is a founding member of the Maiam nayri Wingara Indigenous Data Sovereignty network.
Distinguished Professor Maggie Walter (Ermerita) (Palawa)
Maggie is a Palawa woman from Lutruwita, Tasmania. She is a founding member of the Maiam nayri Wingara Indigenous Data Sovereignty Collective and the Global Indigenous Data Alliance. Maggie is a sociologist whose research is focused on race relations, inequality, research methods and methodologies. In 2018 Maggie was awarded a Fulbright Indigenous Scholarship to comparatively study educational outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Native American children. Maggie has recently been elected as a Fellow to the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia - a recognition of researchers for their distinguished contributions to the discipline and society.
Dr Kalinda Griffiths (Yawuru)
Kalinda is a Yawuru woman of Broome, born and living in Darwin, Australia. She is an early career Scientia Lecturer at the Centre for Big Data Research in Health at UNSW. Kalinda is an epidemiologist who has worked in the research sector for over 20 years. Her interest is in empirically addressing complex health disparities in populations through existing data. Kalinda holds honorary positions at the University of Melbourne and Menzies School of Health Research and is Deputy Editor of the Health Promotion Journal of Australia. Kalinda is the recipient of several awards. Notably, she was awarded the ‘Northern Territory Young Australian of the Year’ in 2011 and the 2019 Lowitja Institutes ‘Emerging Researcher Award’. She was also a 2019-2020 Science and Technology Australia ‘Superstar of STEM’ and is currently the Australian Health Promotion Associations ‘Thinker in Residence’.
Dr Mark Wenitong (Kabi Kabi)
Mark is from the Kabi Kabi tribal group of South Queensland. He is the strategic advisor for the Lowitja Institute, Research Knowledge Translation, and the inaugural co-chair of the QH Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statewide clinical network. He has been the Public Health Medical Advisor and senior medical officer at Apunipima Cape York Health Council since 2008, where he practised clinical medicine and remote health service program delivery. Mark is a board director of Miwatj ACCHS in NT. He has been involved in clinical and policy work in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sexual health, including many national committees. He was awarded the Australian Public Health Association Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander public health award in 2020 & was a founding member of the Australian Indigenous Health Doctors Association (AIDA).
Professor Alex Brown (Yuin)
Alex is an Aboriginal medical doctor and researcher. Alex is Aboriginal Health Equity Theme Leader at SAHMRI, and Professor of Medicine at the University of Adelaide. Alex is an internationally leading Aboriginal clinician/researcher who has worked his entire career in Aboriginal health in the provision of public health services, infectious diseases and chronic disease care, health care policy and research. Alex has led the development of a transdisciplinary program of research focused on documenting the burden and contributors to health inequality in Indigenous Australians, with a primary focus on cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes and cancer.
Professor Kelvin Kong (Worimi)
Kelvin is a Worimi man who has dedicated his career to early intervention to address the ongoing issues experienced by remote communities especially, related to ear health to reduce the risk of ear disease and hearing loss. Kelvin was the first Indigenous surgeon in Australia and is currently practising in on Awabakal country in Newcastle specializing in Paediatric & Adult Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery (Ear, Nose & Throat Surgery). Kelvin's many roles include active member of the RASC, board member for the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, private practitioner at Hunter ENT, Conjoint Professor and mentor at the University of Newcastle, a recent Honour Roll mention for Australian of the Year and was named Indigenous Doctor of the Year in 2017 by Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA).
Professor Peter O’Mara (Wiradjuri)
Peter is a Wiradjuri man who has held numerous leadership roles during his 20+ years as a medical doctor. He was President of the Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association (2009-2013) and is chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practice (RACGP) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Council. Peter is the director of the Thurru Indigenous Health unit at the University of Newcastle and works clinically as a GP at Tobwabba Aboriginal Medical Service, Foster NSW. He is a strong advocate for issues of significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including the national Raise the Age campaign
Professor Sandra Eades (Noongar)
Professor Sandra Eades is a Noongar woman from Mount Barker, WA. Sandra is a leading public health academic and respected Noongar woman who has been influential in improving the health of Aboriginal communities across Australia has been appointed the new Dean of the Curtin Medical School, commencing in March 2020. She has the honour of being Australia’s first appointment of an Indigenous Dean to a medical school and was the first Aboriginal woman to graduate from the University of Newcastle with a Doctor of Medicine.
Dr Bree Hobden
Bree is an early-career researcher who has worked in health behaviour research for more than 7 years. Bree completed her PhD in April 2018 and since has been involved in many research projects looking at the health and well-being of elderly people receiving aged care services. Her research expertise and extensive experience in project management and liaising with key stakeholders will add much value to the Murru Minya project.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.