Kelly McGrath

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Kelly commenced her PhD at Charles Darwin University within the Health Services Research Team at Wesley Research Institute in 2025, combining her biomedical and health services research experience to examine factors which lead to hard-to-heal or chronic wounds. Her proposed research aims to investigate the pathophysiology and microbiology of delayed wound healing, the disparate health outcomes for people with chronic wounds living in rural and remote areas, and explore opportunities to make effective changes to chronic wound care, thereby improving treatment, outcomes and quality of life for those affected.

Kelly McGrath is a health services and biomedical researcher with a background in tertiary education and over 25 years of experience in the health sector. As a rural and remote resident and manager of a rural and remote mental health service, she has in-depth knowledge of the barriers and facilitators to accessing specialist healthcare in geographically isolated areas. Advocating for improved and equitable access to mental health care are key elements of this role.

In 2021, Kelly was appointed to implement and evaluate a new model of mental health care in the rural and remote Isaac region of Central Queensland and has contributed to Wesley Research Institute’s Virtual Hospital and Healthcare Research Program. Currently focusing on health services and implementation research, Kelly’s previous research focused on discovery biology. Her research has directly impacted private virtual hospital design, access to mental health services, mental health service operations, and development of new knowledge regarding the etiology of Parkinson’s Disease and several types of cancer.

Experience

  • 2025–present
    PhD Candidate / Health and Health Services Researcher, Charles Darwin University
  • 2021–present
    Mental Health Care Navigator / Health and Health Services Researcher, Wesley Research Institute
  • 2011–2021
    Associate Lecturer / Lecturer / Sessional Academic, Central Queensland Univesity
  • 2009–2009
    Research Assistant, Queensland Institute of Medical Research
  • 2003–2008
    Research Associate / Senior Research Associate / Associate Scientist, Elan Pharmaceuticals
  • 1999–2002
    Research Assistant, Queensland Institute of Medical Research

Education

  • 2024 
    La Trobe University, Graduate Certificate in Mental Health
  • 2017 
    Deakin University, Graduate Diploma in Human Nutrition
  • 1999 
    Queensland University of Technology, Honours in Life Science
  • 1998 
    Queensland University of Technology, Bachelor of Applied Science (Microbiology/Biotechnology)

Professional Memberships

  • Wounds Australia

Contact Kelly for

  • General
  • Media request
  • Speaking request
  • Consulting / Advising
  • Research collaboration
  • Research supervision