Connectivity Traumatic Brain Injury Australia is delighted to welcome Dr Sarah Hellewell as our new Research Director, strengthening our commitment to translating traumatic brain injury (TBI) research into meaningful outcomes for the community.
Sarah will take on the role alongside her existing position as a Senior Research Fellow at Curtin University and the Perron Institute, where her career has focused on improving our understanding of traumatic brain injury across the spectrum of injury severity.
A leading expert in neurotrauma, Sarah’s work spans both clinical and preclinical research. She is developing and applying new tools to understand changes in brain structure and function following injury, from the whole brain through to the cellular level.
Her research experience also extends to the military setting, having completed postdoctoral research with Defence Research and Development Canada at Suffield Military Base, alongside a postdoctoral fellowship in Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta.
Her current clinical neuroimaging research focuses particularly on concussion, including the development of objective tools to better quantify and monitor changes in the brain following injury. Her broader research has also contributed to our understanding of sport-related concussion and brain injury associated with domestic violence.
As Connectivity’s Research Director, Sarah will help strengthen our role in bringing together TBI research, expertise and collaboration across Australia. Her appointment will support our work in research translation, strengthening the connection between emerging evidence and the information, education and initiatives we deliver.
Dr Hellewell said: “I am thrilled to be joining Connectivity as Research Director. I have long admired the way Connectivity bridges the gap between research and the people it’s meant to help, and I’m looking forward to working alongside such a dedicated team to help translate our growing understanding of TBI into real, practical impact for the community”.
Connectivity CEO Naomi Fuller said: “I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Sarah for several years and have enormous respect for her expertise, her approach to research and her commitment to improving outcomes for people affected by TBI. On behalf of our team, I’m delighted to welcome her to Connectivity and know her knowledge and experience will be a tremendous asset as we continue to grow our impact”
Welcome Sarah!