Is a Level 2 Accredited Sport Scientist and currently works as an Associate Professor at the Curtin School of Allied Health and the enAble Institute, Curtin University. Elissa's research focus is in the areas of exercise with older people, healthy ageing, falls prevention, and interventions to assist people living with mild cognitive impairment and dementia and their carers. Elissa has collaborated with a number of community care organisations and has conducted a lot of research with older people receiving home care services, particularly reablement. Her research focus is the promotion of physical activity and exercise in older people to assist them to live independently, in their home, for as long as they choose.

Elissa is the immediate past AAG WA Division Chair (2019 - 2022)