Teaching Strengths
Dr Ashraf Gerges
Lecturer
School of Allied Health and Human Performance
College of Health
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD (as Co-Supervisor) - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Ashraf is a lecturer in physiotherapy at Adelaide University. He has a diverse clinical background, having worked in both neurological and orthopaedic physiotherapy roles across various settings, including hospitals and specialised rehabilitation services. As a dedicated educator, Ashraf teaches neuroscience and rehabilitation courses and supervises clinical education for physiotherapy students.
Ashraf completed his PhD in 2025 which investigated the clinical use of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) combined with physiotherapy to improve walking and balance after stroke. His research has gained international recognition, with publications in high ranking peer-reviewed journals and presentations at leading international conferences.
Beyond his academic work, Ashraf also contributes to research on innovative rehabilitation technologies, including neuromodulation techniques aimed at enhancing recovery for individuals with neurological conditions.
My research focuses on improving recovery after neurological injury, particularly stroke, through innovative rehabilitation approaches that integrate physiotherapy, neuroscience and neuromodulation. A major focus of my work is transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), and transcranial magentic stimulation (TMS), both are non-invasive techniques that may enhance neuroplasticity and improve rehabilitation outcomes when paired with task-specific training.
My research spans mechanistic and translational studies, including investigations of taVNS effects on cortical excitability and neuroplasticity, as well as evaluating its potential to improve walking and balance after stroke. More broadly, I am interested in gait rehabilitation, motor learning, recovery neuroscience and the translation of neuroscience discoveries into practical rehabilitation interventions.
The overarching goal of my research is to develop evidence-based interventions that improve mobility, independence and quality of life for people living with neurological conditions.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 - ongoing | Senior Neurological Physiotherpist | Neurophysio Hub |
| 2025 - ongoing | Lecturer in Physiotherapy | Adelaide University |
| Language | Competency |
|---|---|
| Arabic | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| English | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 - 2025 | University of South Australia | Australia | PhD |
| 2017 - 2020 | University of South Australia | Australia | Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) |
Co-Investigator on LSA Grant 2026.
Courses I teach
- REHB 3008 Rehabilitation
- REHB 5015 Rehabilitation Skills in Physiotherapy
- REHB 6020 Rehabilitation in Physiotherapy
- REHB 6004 Physiotherapy Practice in Rehabilitation
- HLTH 3014 Advanced Evidence Based Practice (
- PSIO 3011 Neurological Physiotherapy Practice