Research at Mildura
La Trobe University is committed to research within our regional communities and Mildura is an epicentre of some of La Trobe's fascinating and important research.
Researchers with an active research profile in Mildura
Mildura Campus staff are research active in our region, addressing real world problems where outcomes are translated into practice. There are also many La Trobe academics from our campus network conducting meaningful research in our community.
Get a research degree
Make a real world impact with a research degree at La Trobe University. If you live in Mildura and would like to talk to us about studying for a graduate research degree, please get in touch via our contact us page. There's also information on our Graduate Research School website.
Please see below some of the projects our Mildura based Graduate Research students are working on;
- Sandra Connor: Adolescent Rural Males' Health: In the context of Emergent Masculinities.
- Chris Harvey: How effective is an assertive hybrid (clinical and psychosocial) model of suicide aftercare for consumers residing in a regional community experiencing high rates of suicidality?
- Lucas Lloyd: What effect does a nurse-led model of palliative care have on people living in rural residential aged care?
- Darren Midgley: Evaluation of the impact of intergenerational programs on children in long day-care and older adults living in residential aged care.
- Susan O’Neill: Optimising Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Care in Rural Australia: Investigation of the Current Issues Around ENT Care, and Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of Health Interventions.
- Krishna Rachakonda: Prevalence of Polypharmacy and its Impact on Hospitalisation and One Year Survival Rates in Older Adults Receiving Treatment for Advanced Cancer in Mildura Base Public Hospital.
- Tara Williams: Shaping rural health: the creation of health in relation to social, political and environment forces.
Mallee Regional Innovation Centre (MRIC)
Mildura is home to the Mallee Regional Innovation Centre, launched in 2019. In partnership with the University of Melbourne and SuniTAFE, MRIC's aim is to prioritise and fast track research projects to address key industry challenges in the areas of horticulture, water, energy and the environment. La Trobe's Co-Director on MRIC is Professor Ashley Franks - a leading environmental microbiologist.
John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing
The John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing (JRC) has a strong presence in Mildura. Dr Sean MacDermott is the Deputy Director and supervises four local Professional Doctorate research students. Read more about these projects here; Local research to improve aged care and via this article by Professional Doctorate student Darren Midgley; Children helping our aged care crisis.
Rural Health Consumer Panel
La Trobe University researchers recently launched Australia's first Rural Health Consumer Panel. Its purpose is to gain a deeper understanding of the health issues affecting rural and regional Australians. If you'd like to take part and help inform innovative ways to deliver rural health services, find out more at this link; Join Australia's First Rural Health Consumer Panel.
Community Paramedicine
La Trobe University researchers have informed a new innovative health service being delivered at Sunraysia Community Health Services (SCHS). The CP@Clinic being rolled out at SCHS is based on a Canadian model designed to provide chronic disease prevention, management and health promotion. La Trobe are evaluating the impact of the program in an Australian setting. Read more about the program in this article by Associate Professor Evelien Spelten; Broaden your understanding of paramedics.
Industry PhD Program
The La Trobe Industry PhD program is a cost-effective and innovative way to solve industry problems. If you're an organisation who'd like to have a conversation about a potential industry PhD project, please make get in touch via our contact us page.
Read about our current Industry PhD projects with Murray PHN (Primary Health Network). There's also a further scholarship opportunity with West Wimmera Health Services, seeking a candidate.
Meet some of our researchers
Mildura often has to come up with its own solutions, because of its relatively isolated position. This makes for a very innovative and entrepreneurial community with strong leaders, who see the importance of teaming up with their local University. In my area, healthcare, there is also great collaboration between the various healthcare services, all focussed on improving our community outcomes. The innovative leadership and great collaboration make Mildura the ideal environment for innovative proofs of concept, that not only directly improve our local health care but can then be expanded to regional, state and federal level.
I completed a Bachelor of Nursing straight from school, then a Master of Business Administration, almost 20 years ago, but had no background in research. La Trobe has been incredibly supportive in connecting me. I think La Trobe is one of those universities that wraps itself around its students. I am undertaking a Professional Doctorate in Public Health. The Professional Doctorate gives you the skills, in the first year, to undertake research at a higher degree level.