Ngatha djirangang Birrbay (I am a proud Biripi woman), descendant of the Gathang speaking people, early-career researcher, Adjunct Research Fellow with the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health at the University of Queensland and Assistant Professor of First Nations Health at Bond University.

I am deeply committed to social justice and passionate about fostering collaborations and knowledge sharing that are led by, and responsive to, Community priorities, specifically in public health and primary care. My work is grounded in ethical approaches that centre Aboriginal Ways of Knowing, Doing and Being, including strong advocacy and leadership in Ngaanaguba (Indigenous Data Sovereignty, meaning belonging to/associated deeply with) and Governance. I have presented at conferences and peer-reviewed manuscripts pertaining to First Nations Health and Primary Care.

I also have a background in High Performance Sport and Sport Science research. My PhD studies were focused on complex research methodologies and advanced human biomechanics. I have collaborated as a PhD Scholar with the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) to deliver research outcomes that inform training practice and performance in elite programs across Australia.

Collaborations

The University of Queensland, Poche Centre for Indigenous Health. ATLAS: A sentinel surveillance system for infectious diseases comprising of Aboriginal Community Controlled health services across Australia. 2024-current.

Grants

Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Sport Performance Innovation and Knowledge Excellence (SPIKE) and Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Research Funding: Athlete characteristics relating to underwater undulatory swimming performance in competitive swimming. 2019-2024.

Lowitja Institute (GLOWS). Addressing persistent factors that are impeding HIV and viral hepatitis outcomes among First Nations Australians: a multipronged approach, harnessing existing infrastructure and knowledges. 2025-2027. Associate Investigator ($798,962).

2024-2025 Research Fellow, The University of Queensland, Poche Centre for Indigenous Health

2025 Tutor First Nations Health and Wellbeing, The University of Queensland, School of Public Health

2025-current Adjunct Fellow, The University of Queensland, Poche Centre for Indigenous Health

2025-current Assistant Professor First Nations Health, Bond University

I am interested in supervising HDR projects that are:

• Driven by Community priorities and interests
• Focused on First Nations health and wellbeing
• Related to Health Service Research (including Primary Care and Models of Care)
• Centred on policy, program and strategy evaluation
• Grounded in Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Governance
• Movement, sport and biomechanics