Training: Jessica is a physiotherapist, with a clinical background in stroke rehabilitation. She completed her Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy) through Curtin University in 2006, and a Graduate Diploma in Neurological Rehabilitation through the University of Western Australia in 2010. She started a Master’s Degree by research focusing on post-stroke lateropulsion in 2018, and soon realised that she loved doing research, so upgraded to a PhD. Her PhD was conferred through Edith Cowan University in 2023 and she was awarded the School of Medical and Health Sciences Research Medal for her thesis, entitled, “Post-stroke lateropulsion – pushing for a greater understanding of rehabilitation and recovery”.

Research: Jessica’s research focuses on post-stroke lateropulsion. She has 13 peer-reviewed publications to date, with nine as first author and one as senior author. She enjoys collaborating with other researchers and has published with 40 co-authors. She values collaborations with people with lived experience and recognises the importance of research co-design. Alongside her work focusing on lateropulsion, Jessica believes strongly that quality stroke rehabilitation should be accessible to everyone. One of her goals in working with the WSO Future Leaders Program is to improve equity in access to rehabilitation.

Professional: Jessica works in a teaching and research role at Curtin University in Western Australia. She is Secretary of the Australia and New Zealand Stroke Organisation Emerging Stroke Clinician Scientist Committee and a member of the Stroke Foundation Living Guidelines Physiotherapy Working Party. She has contributed as an organising committee member to Smart Strokes conferences, and as scientific committee member or abstract reviewer for Smart Strokes, Australia and New Zealand Stroke Organisation, National Allied Health, Australian Physiotherapy Association Conferences and the World Stroke Congress.

Awards:

2023: Edith Cowan University School of Medical and Health Sciences Research Medal

2022: University of Notre Dame Australia Aspire Award

2021: Peter Bladin New Investigator Award, Stroke Society of Australasia Conference

2018: First place poster at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Research Week

Outside of research: Jessica enjoys the beach, running and reading, and spending time with family and friends. She was unable to choose which she loves most of coffee, wine or chocolate – so decided not to choose! Her love of travel and learning about the world works very well with being part of the Future Leaders Program.