Find an expert

Carl Francia (Saibai Koedal awgadhalayg) is a physiotherapist and population health researcher based at The University of Queensland, currently seconded as an NHMRC Synergy Fellow at the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health. His research focuses on acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD), with a particular emphasis on Indigenous-led, place-based approaches to prevention, early detection, long-term management, and health system reform.

Carl’s research program examines the burden, natural history, and progression of ARF and RHD using large-scale linked administrative and clinical datasets, with the aim of generating evidence that informs policy, improves service delivery, and supports disease elimination strategies. His doctoral research, recently completed and currently under examination, investigated the epidemiology and progression of ARF and RHD in Queensland over two decades, including population-level incidence and prevalence, progression and regression patterns, and inequities in outcomes.

Through his current role on the NHMRC Synergy project iPreventRHD, Carl is working to translate epidemiological evidence into practice by supporting life-course approaches to RHD prevention and care, strengthening primary and preventive care systems, and partnering with communities, clinicians, and policymakers. His work is underpinned by a commitment to Indigenous data sovereignty, community partnership, and research that is responsive to local context and priorities.

Carl maintains active collaborations across clinical, academic, and community settings and has published across epidemiology, public health, and cardiovascular disease prevention. He is particularly interested in research that bridges evidence and implementation, supports culturally safe care, and contributes to equitable health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Mehedi is a public health researcher with strong expertise in quantitative data analytics. He has over eight years of professional experience in developing and developed countries. He has built a distinguished career in public health research, focusing on critical areas such as reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH), nutrition, non-communicable diseases, mental health, sleep health, social determinants of health and health inequalities.

Mehedi completed his PhD from the University of Queensland in 2022. In his doctoral thesis titled “Future direction of maternal and child health in low- and middle-income countries”, he utilized data of over 4.3 million participants extracted from 284 national surveys conducted in 75 low- and middle-income countries to understand the future projections of maternal and child health-related indicators and gaps in progress, with geographical variations across countries. His doctoral research resulted six publications in reputed international journals and provided valuable insights for global and country leaders in their pursuit of achieving health-related Sustainable Development Goals.

Mehedi has a charming engagement with research community. He has reviewed manuscripts for eight international journals and published 45 peer-reviewed articles, many of which appear in high-impact journals. His work has gained media attention, with coverage of more than 15 research stories.

In addition to his research and professional activities, Mehedi is an active member of several professional international collaborative groups, including Global Burden of Diseases, the American Society for Nutrition, the International Health Economics Association, the Society for Research in Child Development, and Health Systems Global, where he collaborates with fellow experts and stays at the forefront of developments in his field.

Mehedi is a Global Change Scholar (2018 cohort) of the University of Queensland and a recipient of several prestigious scholarships and awards. He recently honoured with a national award in the Pregnancy Monitoring Innovation Challenge 2022 funded by the Aspire to Innovate (a2i), Bangladesh, recognizing his innovative contributions to maternal and neonatal health.

Mehedi’s current research focuses on unveiling environmental exposures in pregnancy and risk in adverse birth outcomes in Queensland, Australia.

Dr George Thomas is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Queensland’s Health and Wellbeing Centre for Research Innovation and a member of the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child. His work focuses on understanding children’s engagement with digital technologies and how this shapes their health, wellbeing, and development.

George has over 15 years of experience in public health and behavioural sciences, with expertise spanning:

• Digital health and healthy screen use in childhood

• Health behaviour change and family-based interventions

• Translation of research into community programs

He began his career with a UK government taskforce on weight management, delivering healthy lifestyle programs for school children and families. Since then, his research has focused on bridging science and practice, ensuring evidence informs policy and community action.

George is also committed to education and mentorship. He has taught research methods and public health to undergraduate students in paramedicine and sport and exercise sciences, consistently receiving excellent feedback, and has supervised more than 30 student research projects.

A passionate advocate for promoting healthy behaviours, George works to create practical solutions that support families, schools, and communities.