Professor Dafna Merom

Position

Professor of Physical Activity and Health, School of Science and Health

Biography

Dr Dafna Merom joined Western Sydney University in July 2011 as Associate Professor in Physical Activity and Health. Prior to this appointment she was a senior research fellow, in the School of Public Health University of Sydney, a specialised physical activity epidemiologist in the NSW Centre for Physical Activity and Health, University of New South Wales and a senior epidemiologist in the Israeli Centre for Disease Control, Department of Health.

Dafna’s research interests are in areas of physical activity measurement, surveillance, improving the knowledge-base on the role of lifestyle physical activities, in particular walking, in preventing and managing chronic diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental illness) and the development and evaluation of population –based approaches to promote active lifestyle through active travel, environmental modifications and by implementing media-based elf-help approaches to promote active lifestyles for different population groups and in various settings (schools, worksites, general practice or home). Her post doc area of research focuses on the role of multi-dimensional complex physical activities (e.g. dance) in preventing neurological declines (i.e., balance, cognition) and on the contribution of domain-specific physical activity (work, households, transport) to chronic disease prevention in populations under economic transition and of different cultural background.

Research Interests

• Physical activity in ageing population and its health impact
• Physical activity and mental illness
• Improving the health status of disadvantaged population

Memberships

• International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and physical Activity
• International Society of Physical Activity and Public Health

Qualifications and Recognition

• PhD University of New South Wales top 2% (2007)
• NHMRC postdoc fellow 2009-2013

Research & Publications

• For a complete list of my publications please see my publications page (opens in a new window)
• View my ResearchGate profile (opens in a new window)

Contact Details