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Dr Kirsty McDonald

Dr Kirsty McDonald is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Medical & Health Sciences.

Current Teaching

  • SPS2516 Motor Learning and Control
  • SPS1530 Lifespan Growth and Development

Background

  • 2025-present: Senior Lecturer, School of Medical & Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University
  • 2025-present: Adjunct Senior Lecturer, School of Health Sciences, University of New South Wales
  • 2024-2025: Senior Lecturer, School of Health Sciences, University of New South Wales
  • 2020-2025: Visiting Scientist (Honorary Appointment), Neuroscience Research Australia
  • 2020-2024: Lecturer, School of Heath Sciences, University of New South Wales
  • 2018-2020: Postdoctoral Scholar, School of Engineering, Vanderbilt University
  • 2018-2020: Director of the Performance Laboratory, Vanderbilt University
  • 2016-2017: Visiting Scholar, Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University
  • 2012:  Postgraduate Scholar (Biomechanics), Australian Institute of Sport

Professional Associations

  • 2025-present: Footwear Biomechanics Group
  • 2021-present: Australian and New Zealand Society of Biomechanics
  • 2020-present:  International Women in Biomechanics

Awards and Recognition

  • 2022: Early-Career Educator of the Year, School of Health Sciences, University of New South Wales

Research Areas and Interests

I sit at the intersection of health and engineering with a strong background in human biomechanics, motor control and physiology. My research program explores what humans seek to optimise in various movement contexts (e.g., metabolic cost, muscle fatigue, musculoskeletal loading, stability, pain, cognitive demands), and how we satisfy these competing objectives. I apply the insights gained from this work to improve the quality of life of people with movement disability, to enhance athletic performance and injury prevention and to promote increased physical activity engagement within the general population.

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