A/Prof Anna Leonard is a medical researcher and award-winning educator whose work spans translational neurotrauma research, curriculum innovation and research training. She leads the Spinal Cord Injury Research Group (SCIRG) within the School of Pharmacy and Biomedicine, where her multidisciplinary research and teaching are united by a commitment to improving health outcomes while developing the next generation of biomedical scientists.
 
Her research focuses on improving the long-term health and quality of life of people living with spinal cord injury (SCI) through two complementary themes. The first investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying non-motor complications following SCI, with a particular focus on autonomic dysfunction, including bladder dysfunction and neuropathic pain, and cognitive impairment. The second centres on translational neurotrauma research, developing innovative approaches to improve clinical outcomes through technologies and models that bridge laboratory discovery with clinical practice. Her research is driven by strong multidisciplinary collaborations with clinicians, engineers, neuroscientists and consumer partners across Australia and internationally.
 
Alongside her research, Anna is passionate about delivering engaging, authentic and inclusive education that equips students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to thrive in research, healthcare and related professions. She has led curriculum innovation that strengthens research literacy, scientific communication, career readiness and teamwork through evidence-informed teaching, authentic assessment and innovative digital learning approaches. Her scholarship of learning and teaching focuses on enhancing career readiness, research skill development and the student experience through evidence-informed curriculum design, evaluation and innovation. Her teaching philosophy is grounded in active learning, relevance, collaboration and student support, fostering learning environments where students develop critical thinking, communication and lifelong learning skills.
 
Anna is equally committed to mentoring emerging researchers and educators. She leads a collaborative research environment supporting PhD, Honours and undergraduate students while working closely with colleagues, healthcare professionals, industry and the broader community. By integrating research excellence with educational leadership, she strives to translate scientific discoveries into meaningful health outcomes while inspiring and preparing the next generation of biomedical researchers and health professionals.