We plan to record this event and make that recording
available to all registrants subsequently
If you can't make it on the day we encourage you to register
anyway so that you receive that link
Access to the recording in our video library will be
restricted to AAG members and webinar registrants
Sponsored by
This webinar will include presentations from the finalists of the AAG SECG Helen Barrie National Prize 2026 round, acknowledging their outstanding research contributions to ageing research and practice.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear about the innovative and impactful research, published by AAG members.
Check out our recent Thursday Three newsletter article for more information on Sarah, Georgina and Mikaela's papers.
Convenor:
Dr Tesfahun Eshetie
Research Fellow
South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)
SECG National Professional Development and Events Lead
Dr Tesfahun Eshetie is a Research Fellow at the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA) Research Centre, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), and the Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University. He is also an Adjunct Research Fellow at Adelaide University, where he completed his PhD in Pharmacy. Following his PhD completion, he was appointed as a Geriatric Pharmacotherapy Postdoctoral Research Scholar at the Plein Centre for Geriatric Pharmacy Research, University of Washington (USA). His current program of research focuses on aged care and pharmacoepidemiology, with a particular emphasis on evaluating and improving the quality and safety of aged care services. Dr Eshetie is the lead Postdoctoral Research Fellow for the ROSA Outcome Monitoring System, a national pragmatic quality and safety monitoring and benchmarking system designed to support evidence-based quality and safety improvement in aged care.
Presentations by:
Prize Winner
Sarah McMullen-Roach
PhD Candidate
Adelaide University
Ms Sarah McMullen-Roach is an occupational therapist with over a decade of experience working in aged care settings. Through these experiences Sarah has witnessed and is sensitive to the challenges experienced by people from diverse backgrounds when navigating the Australian aged care system. As a member of the LGBTI+ community, Sarah also has lived experience of the challenges faced by the LGBTI+ community when accessing healthcare. Currently Sarah is a PhD Candidate exploring the experiences of LGBTI+ older adults as they navigate aged care. She is currently working as a lecturer in Occupational Therapy at Adelaide University.
Presentation title: The perspectives and experience of older LGBTI+ adults in long-term care: A qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis.
Finalist
Dr Georgina Hughes
Research Fellow
Adelaide University
Dr Georgina Hughes is an early career pharmacist researcher and works as a Research Fellow at Adelaide University. Georgina's research focuses on supporting quality use of medicines and pharmacy practice in aged care to optimise overall outcomes for older people accessing aged care services. Georgina’s PhD used data to explore the real-world use and safety of antidepressants among older people living in aged care homes. She is passionate about research that supports quality use of medicines and the health and wellbeing of older people.
Presentation title: Risk of adverse outcomes associated with mirtazapine use compared to sertraline among older people living in residential aged care homes.
and The AAG SECG Helen Barrie National Special Prize for Innovation in Aged Care Reforms and Reach.
Dr Mikaela Wheeler
Lecturer
University of Queensland
Dr Mikaela Wheeler is a lecturer in the school and has clinical and research expertise as a dietitian working with older people in residential aged care and community settings. Her research focuses on improving the lives of older people by addressing key issues, including poor nutrition, social isolation, and the specialist care for people living with dementia
Presentation title: Choice on the menu in residential aged care: An underrated tool for maintaining resident autonomy.