Laila Bushra

BSc (Hons), MPPM, PhD

Bilingual Research Assistant

Laila Bushra received a Bachelor of Science (with honors) in computer science from the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) in Pakistan. She did a doctorate in sociology from Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Public Policy and Management (MPPM) from the University of Melbourne. Her research focuses on the multiple dimensions of Islamic fundamentalism in Pakistan and the broader region. Prior to joining Melbourne University, Laila taught political economy and historical sociology at LUMS and Johns Hopkins. Her publications include co-authored chapters in a volume titled Paramilitary Groups and the State under Globalization: Political Violence, Elites, and Security.

Email: [email protected]

Latest

An Open Letter to Maggie Beer - Falls Prevention and Recovery

An open letter from clinician researcher and falls prevention expert at the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI), A/Prof Frances Batchelor, to Maggie in support of her personal recovery and highlighting the issue of falls in older Australians.
NARI Annual Summit 2024: Human Rights are Older People’s Rights Too

Join us on Friday 20th September, 9.30am - 3.00pm AEST, as our speakers including Robert Fitzgerald AM, Andrea Kelly, Dr Jill Gallagher AO and Dr John Davis address the topic: Human Rights are Older People’s Rights Too.
Seminars in Ageing: Improving hospital care for older people

Join us on World Patient Safety Day on Tuesday September 17, 2024, for the NARI Seminar in Ageing where Prof. Alison Mudge will discuss: 'Improving hospital care for older people'.
NARI opens up the conversation about neurodiversity as we age

NARI's 2024 Conversation on Ageing focused on neurodiversity and ageing. The discussion highlighted the urgent need to improve awareness, diagnosis and support for older people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Connie Huang

Connie is a Bilingual Research Assistant in NARI’s Aged Care Division. She is a part of the Befriending with GENIE project. She is a speech pathologist with experience in healthcare, research, disability support and education.
Wendy Taylor

Wendy is the project manager of the MRFF-funded IDC-IMPROVE project. Her research interests include the aged care workforce, new models of care and dementia. She has expertise in qualitative research and evaluation and a strong commitment to research translation.
Sunny Huang

Sunny Huang is a Bilingual Research Assistant at NARI, working closely with the Chinese dementia community. She has extensive experience in healthcare, research, disability support, and working with people living with dementia. Her research interests include the biopsychosocial aspects of aging, dementia care, sleep and mental health, and community health initiatives.
Rina Barhoum

Rina is a Bilingual Research Assistant within the Social Gerontology Division at NARI. She has a background in public health with a focus on cardiovascular diseases. Rina is currently working on the MindCare study which aims to co-produce a dementia risk reduction program for CALD communities to improve health self-efficacy.
Stratos (Steven) Vakkas

Stratos (Steven) is a Bilingual Research Assistant working with the MindCare team on the Dementia Risk Reduction program for CALD communities.
Pooi Kheng Lee

Pooi Kheng, also known as PK, is a Bilingual Research Assistant focusing on the MRFF-funded Befriending with GENIE project to enhance dementia care for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities. With expertise in dementia-enabling design, PK is dedicated to creating supportive environments and volunteers in aged care.
Marla Stone

Marla is a Research Assistant working on the ENJOY IMPACT Project in Mitchell Shire. She has a background in Education, Logistics and Neighbourhood House services.
Kira Kezia-Pearl

Kira is a Research Assistant within the Clinical Gerontology Division at NARI. She is working on the ENJOY IMP-ACT project which aims to improve older people’s health through physical activity.
Nyssa Clarke

Nyssa Clarke is a Research Assistant working on the MINDSET project at NARI. She has experience in public health research, primarily in the areas of health literacy, traumatic injury and sustainable transport.
Liam Borelli-Millott

Liam is a Research Assistant working with the Clinical Gerontology Division and an assistant with the NARI Education program. Liam is also a PhD Candidate focusing on the impacts of lifetime trauma on the experience of dementia and dementia care.

Falls risk for older People in the community: FROP-Com

The Falls Risk for Older People in the Community (FROP-Com and FROP-Com Screen) are tools used in the community for assessment or screening of falls risk.
Age-positive language guide

As part of our commitment to combatting ageism, NARI has developed an age-positive language guide. The guide provides practical examples of how words, phrases, and images can better portray older people and combat ageism.
Indigenous Cognitive Assessment: Regional and Urban KICA

The regional and urban KICA is an instrument to assess dementia in older Aboriginal people in regional and urban settings.
What is the Seniors Exercise Park?

The Seniors Exercise Park is an outdoor exercise equipment includes multiple stations specifically designed for older people to improve strength, balance, joint movements, mobility and function.
Victorian falls and balance service directory

The Victorian Falls and Balance Service Directory provides details of the clinics and programs operated by public hospitals and community health services in Victoria for older people who have had a fall or are at risk of falling.
Research participants

Make a difference in the lives of older people and those who care for them by volunteering to be involved in research.
How to stay active at home - Exercises for older people

NARI's exercise videos can help older people stay active at home, particularly during times when you may not be as physically active outdoors. The exercises were developed by allied health professionals with expertise in exercise for older people.
Healthy Ageing Quiz

If you're 50 or over, take our Healthy Ageing Quiz to find out if you're on the right track to age well.
MINDSET: Free training to interpreters for Dementia Assessments

MINDSET is providing free specialist online dementia training to all interpreters across Australia regardless of level or language!
Grief in Older People and its Effect on Healthcare Use

Examines the effects of grief in older people on healthcare use from the perspective of (a) the older bereaved person who is experiencing grief and (b) GPs who are treating grieving older people.