Discovery and excellence

About the
research

Our overarching goal is to support a pipeline of curiosity driven research to improve health across the lifespan. Our focus is on reducing the burden of cardiometabolic, neurodegenerative and musculoskeletal diseases to improve overall health and enable healthy aging.

We work with large data sets, develop and evaluate new resources, as well as perform high impact trials and interventions to prevent and manage chronic disease.

Theme Co-Leads

Dr Lauren Blekkenhorst
Dr Marc Sim

ECR Theme Lead

Dr Abadi Gebre

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Most popular articles

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dementia-warning
3 MIN READ
published
May 2023
Slowing down in your old age? It may be a dementia warning sign
It’s generally accepted we will lose muscle strength and slow down as we age, making it more difficult to perform...
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Vegetables arranged in a heart shape.
0 MIN READ
published
April 2023
Unlocking a heart-healthy diet: the power of vegetables
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Australia, with one person dying of CVD every 13 minutes....
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Associate Professor Joshua Lewis
1 MIN READ
published
March 2023
Major funding announcement for ECU to lead global cardiovascular disease research team
Edith Cowan University (ECU) researchers will lead a global team researching how to better prevent a novel aspect of cardiovascular...
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Dr Liezhou Zhong
3 MIN READ
published
March 2023
ECU’s ‘Emerging Leaders’ win State Government health research funding
Four Edith Cowan University health researchers have won hundreds of thousands of dollars as part of the WA Near-Miss Awards:...
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marc-lauren
2 MIN READ
published
March 2023
Cooking tips to prevent injury from falls
Researchers are constantly growing their understanding of how nutrition affects various aspects of our lives, however it is just as...
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_DSC2038
3 MIN READ
published
December 2022
Stretching In Our Hypermobile Athletes: Is It Ever A Good Idea?
What is the point of stretching? Should we or should we not be stretching remains one of the topics within...
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potatoes-source
3 MIN READ
published
December 2022
It’s not them, it’s you: Why potatoes don’t deserve their bad reputation
With low or no-carbohydrate diets rising in popularity in recent times, the humble potato is now regularly overlooked in favour...
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bone-health-vit-k
2 MIN READ
published
November 2022
Higher vitamin K intake linked to lower bone fracture risk late in life
Breaking bones can be lifechanging events — especially as we age, when hip fractures can become particularly damaging and result...
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flavonoids-health
3 MIN READ
published
November 2022
How black tea (and other favourites) may help your health later in life
A daily cup of tea could help you to enjoy better health late in life — however if you’re not...
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sarcopenia-guidelines
1 MIN READ
published
November 2022
ECU part of international taskforce clarifying prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sarcopenia
An international task force has sought the expertise of Edith Cowan University (ECU) researchers to assist in developing clinical and...
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acl-injury
0 MIN READ
published
October 2022
ACL Rehab – is it all in your head?
An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury presents short and long-term challenges to the patient and the health system. Read the...
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sarcopenia-resistance
0 MIN READ
published
August 2022
Resistance exercise frontline defence against sarcopenia
Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass in conjunction with reduced strength and/or physical performance. In July 2019, sarcopenia was...
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Dr Marc Sim
1 MIN READ
published
June 2022
Prestigious Fellowship to help prevent falls in older Australians
An Edith Cowan University researcher has won almost $400,000 in State Government funding to help prevent falls in older Australians....
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veg-stress
0 MIN READ
published
June 2022
Fruit and veg may improve mental wellbeing
Stress can be considered a normal part of our daily lives, however prolonged or chronic stress can increase the risk...
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e-scooter-injuries
0 MIN READ
published
April 2022
E-scooter injuries
Electric scooters have gone from oddity to essential item for the inner-city commute, and even on Perth City’s quiet, pandemic...
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Dr Simone-Radavelli with Professor Caroline Finch holding media award certificate.
2 MIN READ
published
November 2021
Media stars celebrated at ECU
The extraordinary efforts of researchers to share their expertise has been acknowledged at the 2021 ECU media awards. This year...
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falls-fractures
0 MIN READ
published
November 2021
Preventing falls and fractures in older Australians
This sobering quote reflects the daily reality for many older Australians, for whom injuries due to falls may lead to...
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Stethoscope on a table with green vegetables
3 MIN READ
published
August 2021
Growing evidence of vitamin K benefits for heart health
New Edith Cowan University research has found that people who eat a diet rich in vitamin K have up to...
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Dr Marc Sim and Dr Catherine Bondonno
1 MIN READ
published
June 2021
ECU duo advancing health through nutrition
Two ECU researchers have been awarded Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) Research Foundation Fellowships for their work to reduce the burden...
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Watermelon, bananas, oranges and apples on a table
2 MIN READ
published
June 2021
Growing evidence fruit may lower type 2 diabetes risk
Eating at least two serves of fruit daily has been linked with 36 per cent lower odds of developing type...
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healthy-eating-less-stress
2 MIN READ
published
May 2021
Eating more fruit and vegetables linked to less stress
Eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables is associated with less stress, according to new research from Edith Cowan...
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Stethoscope with beetroot and leafy green vegetables in the background
2 MIN READ
published
May 2021
One cup of leafy green vegetables a day lowers risk of heart disease
New Edith Cowan University research has found that by eating just one cup of nitrate-rich vegetables each day people can...
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Dumbbells and leafy green vegetables on a table
2 MIN READ
published
March 2021
Leafy green vegetables could boost muscle function
Eating just one cup of leafy green vegetables every day could boost muscle function, according to new Edith Cowan University...
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flavonoid-fruits
3 MIN READ
published
October 2020
Flavonoid research
For centuries, alchemists searched for an elusive substance that could extend our lives. In the quest for more days on...
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