Griffith University will be represented by its largest-ever Commonwealth Games contingent at Glasgow, with 33 students, alumni, staff and program athletes, including para-sport athletes, set to compete across eight sports.
Thirty athletes have been selected for the Australian team, representing almost 12 per cent of the nation’s Commonwealth Games delegation.
The cohort includes Olympic champions Cam McEvoy, Shayna Jack and Zac Stubblety-Cook, Commonwealth Games medallists Kristina Clonan, Matt Denny, Kelsey Cottrell, Jake Fehlberg and Cara Koenen, alongside emerging stars Lachlan Kennedy, Torrie Lewis and Georgia Harris.
Griffith Sports College Director Naomi McCarthy OAM OLY
As one of Australia’s most successful high-performance sport institutions, Griffith athletes brought home 31 gold medals, 13 silver and 14 bronze medals at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Griffith Sports College Director Naomi McCarthy OAM OLY said the strong representation highlighted the depth of talent within Griffith’s high-performance sporting community.
“Congratulations to all 33 athletes,” Ms McCarthy said.
“To compete at a Commonwealth Games is a remarkable achievement and reflects years of dedication, hard work and resilience.
“Many of our athletes have been supported through scholarships, demonstrating the direct impact of investment in high-performance sport.”
Two scholarship recipients are set to make their Commonwealth Games debut after earning selection in the Australian Dolphins swim team, marking a major milestone in their sporting careers.
Bailey Lello
Australian breaststroke swimmer and Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) student Bailey Lello secured his place on the team with a standout performance at the 2026 Australian Swimming Trials, swimming 1:00.33 to claim silver in the men’s 100m breaststroke.
“I think I had a real turning point last year when I missed out on the world championships team,” Mr Lello said.
“I knew what I was doing outside of the pool wasn’t sustainable and needed to fix it.
“Part of the solution was studying at Griffith, and the Sports College helped me to successfully balance my degree with my training, which has been amazing.
Amelia Weber
“I’ve been constantly supported, and the Griffith team has helped work around my training and competition very successfully.”
Fellow scholarship recipient and Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) student Amelia Weber will also make her Commonwealth Games debut after a breakthrough performance at the 2026 Australian Swimming Trials, where she claimed bronze in the women’s 400m freestyle in a personal-best 4:05.79.
“I am most excited about the chance to test myself on one of the biggest stages in sport,” Ms Weber said.
“The Commonwealth Games isn’t just about racing; it’s about representing your country, sharing the experience with teammates, and creating memories that last a lifetime.”
We wish the following athletes every success as they prepare to compete in Glasgow:
Kelsey Cottrell
Judo
Aoife Coughlan, Master of Business
Weightlifting
Ryven Ewing, Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) (Alumnus)
Netball
Cara Koenen, Bachelor of Forensic Science and Bachelor of Criminology & Criminal Justice (Alumnus)
Lawn Bowls
Jake Fehlberg, Bachelor of Business (Alumnus)
Nauna Lelai
Kelsey Cottrell, Bachelor of Journalism (Alumnus)
Basketball
Nauna Lelai, Bachelor of Environmental Science and Bachelor of Business (Griffith International – representing Papua New Guinea)
Jesse Wagstaff, Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning
Cycling
Kristina Clonan, Bachelor of Business (Alumnus)
Molly McGill, Diploma of Education
James Moriarty, Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Commerce
Ryan Elliott, Bachelor of Business
Dr Georgia Munro-Cook
Wheelchair Basketball
Tom O’Neill Thorne, Bachelor of International Business and Bachelor of Government and International Relations (Alumnus)
Georgia Munro-Cook, Research Fellow in the Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research
Athletics
Lachlan Kennedy, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Business
Isaac Beacroft, Bachelor of Business
Elizabeth McMillen, Bachelor of Political Science & International Relations and Bachelor of Criminology & Criminal Justice
Torrie Lewis
Torrie Lewis, Bachelor of Cyber Security
Georgia Harris, Bachelor of Business
Lara Roberts, Bachelor of Exercise Science (Alumnus)
Matt Denny, Bachelor of Business (Alumnus)
Para Swimming
Victoria Belando Nicholson, Bachelor of Design
Maddie McTernan, Griffith Paralympic Swim Program
Swimming
Jenna Forrester, Bachelor of Environmental Science and Bachelor of Business
Meg Harris, Bachelor of Nursing
Shayna Jack, Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Bailey Lello, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
Will Petric, Bachelor of Commerce
Amelia Weber, Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Cam McEvoy, Bachelor of Science (Alumnus)
Kai Taylor, Bachelor of Psychological Science and Bachelor of Business (Alumnus)
Zac Stubblety‑Cook, Bachelor of Business (Alumnus)
Carter Swift, Griffith Swim Club (representing New Zealand)
Milana Tapper, Griffith Swim Club (representing New Zealand)
Professor Rozanne Kruger
Whether you are an early bird or a night owl, your sleep patterns can tell a lot about a person’s eating habits and subsequently the potential health risks.
“Chronotypes influences our preferences for food intake, our behaviours and our metabolism,” Professor Kruger said.
“Both Morning-types and Evening-types consumed similar amounts of food or energy across the day, but it was the timing of eating that was crucial.”
Evening-types consumed less food between 3am and 9:59am but more food between 8pm and 2:59am, while the opposite was true for Morning-types.
Night owls were more likely to consume lower energy and protein intakes in the morning, and ate foods that were high in energy, carbohydrates and fats late at night.
This Evening-type eating and sleeping pattern was associated with greater body fat percentage, belly fat, and higher blood sugar and lipids.
Consuming food at night, when we are supposed to be fasting and sleeping, means we store more food rather than use it, which may increase susceptibility to obesity and cause worse health outcomes.
Women who naturally preferred a later bedtime and wake time were also more likely to have a higher Body Mass Index and Body Fat percentage, poorer lipid profiles, and less favourable indicators of glucose regulation than Morning-types.
“The research highlights that when people eat may be just as important as whatthey eat,” Professor Kruger said.
“Targeting meal timing, particularly reducing late-night eating, could be an important strategy for improving health amongst people with an evening chronotype.
“It reinforces the role of chrononutrition and the role it plays in obesity and metabolic disease prevention.”
The paper ‘Chronotype and associations with dietary intake, meal timing, body composition, and metabolic biomarkers’ has been published in Frontiers in Nutrition.
Pregnant women who become involved with child protection services often experience fear, mistrust and stigma, leading some to avoid health and support services altogether, new Griffith University research has found.
There is limited evidence on lived experiences of prenatal child protection amidst growing international concern for the consistently high number of infants being removed from their families.
“Being pregnant can be a vulnerable time for women, and many are experiencing complex challenges including trauma, family violence, poverty, substance abuse, mental health concerns, and housing insecurity,” Ms Wren said.
“They feel a sense of being judged, surveilled, and mistrust, causing many to avoid services for fear their child will be removed.
“Their feelings of mistrust are driven by unclear plans and broken promises as child protection can often focus on deficits and not women’s strengths, recovery and parenting potential.
“Unfortunately, a mother’s experience with trauma and domestic violence frequently goes unaddressed.”
Professor Silke Meyer
The study identified missed opportunities for early intervention and support during pregnancy which could improve outcomes for the mother and her baby.
Co-author Professor Silke Meyer from Griffith’s Centre for Mental Health said: “It is important we see more trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and relationship-based approaches which prioritise both child safety and maternal well-being.”
“We need to break the cycle of disadvantage and reduce the rate of infant removal.”
The paper ‘Women’s experiences of child protection involvement during pregnancy: A scoping review’ has been published in Child and Youth Services Review.
For Griffith University student Yadan Noerdin, participating in the Sustainability Transformation Program (SXIP) was more than an international study experience. It was an opportunity to explore how Japan is addressing sustainability challenges while gaining new perspectives on culture, collaboration and future career opportunities.
Funded by the Japanese Ministry of Education, the Yokohama Sustainability Transformation Program (SXIP) brings together universities from Japan, Australia and other Asian countries to explore sustainability challenges through a multidisciplinary lens spanning business, engineering, science and the social sciences.
As Yokohama National University’s business school partner, Griffith University sends top-performing students to Japan each year to work alongside YNU students, visit industry partners and examine real-world sustainability issues. In return, Griffith hosts YNU students on the Gold Coast, showcasing both sustainability expertise within Griffith Business School and unique local experiences, from Indigenous bush tucker education and tree planting to wildlife conservation activities.
Yadan earned his place in the program after being awarded a Japan study trip prize through Griffith’s 2025 Finance Competition.
“I was interested in learning directly in a Japanese institution regarding sustainability topics and wanted to gain a direct perspective by working with Japanese students and academics. I’ve always been interested in how Japan developed its economy after World War II despite having limited natural resources.”
(L-R) Dr Mirela Malin, Felipe Garcia, Yadan Noerdin and Khoulud Alhoush from Griffith University, and Eri Honda, Ruriko Tanaka, Miyuu Fujoo and Dr Akira Omori from Yokihama National University. (Photo supplied)
Discovering Japan beyond the classroom
While SXIP focuses on sustainability transformation, much of the learning takes place beyond lectures and presentations.
For Yadan, one of the first things that stood out was the organisation and efficiency of everyday life in Japan.
“My first impressions of Japan were how orderly, clean and well-mannered everyone is. Public transport is very organised, punctual and convenient. It was easy to get from place to place, everyone was polite, and the food was great.”
Beyond the classroom, Yadan explored many of Tokyo’s most famous districts and cultural landmarks. He particularly enjoyed visiting Akihabara, known for its electronics, gaming and anime culture, and taking part in a kimono photography session at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa.
A memorable moment came when the group unexpectedly came across a live idol performance.
“I was excited to finally see one in person, while my teammates were completely confused about what it was. I ended up explaining it to them.”
Experiences like these helped provide a deeper understanding of how modern life, tradition and popular culture coexist in Japan.
Learning about sustainability in practice
SXIP encourages students to view sustainability as more than an environmental issue. The program explores the connections between sustainability, business, economics, technology and society.
One topic that particularly captured Yadan’s attention was Japan’s long-term investment in hydrogen fuel technology.
“The greatest takeaway for me was Japan’s push for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Yokohama National University took us for a ride in one of their hydrogen cars, and we learned how it formed part of a national strategy to improve energy security and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.”
The exchange of ideas between Australian and Japanese students is a defining feature of SXIP, encouraging participants to consider sustainability challenges from different cultural and economic perspectives.
For Griffith, the program is also helping build long-term links with Japanese universities. Beyond student exchanges, Griffith and YNU academics collaborate on research projects, grant applications and conference presentations, strengthening academic cooperation between the two institutions while fostering cultural understanding and friendship among students.
As part of the Australian leg of the program, Griffith University’s Associate Professor Alexandr Akimov accompanies participants on a field trip. (Photo supplied)
Building skills for the future
Beyond sustainability themes, SXIP helps students develop confidence, cross-cultural communication skills and a broader understanding of Asia’s growing importance to business and society.
For Griffith students, participation in the program is a highly sought-after opportunity. Each year, two or three top-performing students are selected to represent the university in Japan, with the 2026 cohort set to travel to Yokohama in August.
As SXIP enters its final year of Japanese Government funding, the program continues to strengthen ties between Australia and Japan. Through exchanges, research collaboration and academic conferences, it is helping develop globally minded graduates equipped to contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.
For Yadan, the experience reinforced the value of looking beyond national borders when addressing global challenges.
“The lesson for Australia is that technology has the power to reshape entire economies. Countries need to be ready to innovate, adapt and pivot when technologies evolve.”
A new study underlines the annual AU$7 trillion (US$5 trillion) value of nature in mental health benefits, and is calling for urgent government action to expand access to nature as a frontline response to the worsening global mental health crisis.
The paper, published in Communications Health, highlights while nature has been proven to be beneficial for mental health, clinical healthcare does not provide it, and lifestyle medicine is not available to all.
“People need nature to counteract burnout,” said co-author Professor Paula Brough, Director of the Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing at Australia’s Griffith University.
The study also highlighted the strong economic case for investment, citing protected areas of national parks and greenspaces already contributed an estimated AU$7 trillion (US$5 trillion) annually through mental health benefits, with further gains expected through reduced healthcare costs and improved productivity.
“Visiting national parks boosts mental health and work productivity,” said Professor Emeritus Ralf Buckley, who is also a co-lead author from Griffith University.
“Those benefits accrue to employers and health insurers, not to individuals.
“People visit nature for their own happiness, spending their own time and money to get to parks and nature.
“Worldwide, those time and transport costs total US$1 trillion a year.
“Once people get to parks, entry fees are small if not free in most countries, and nature itself is free.”
Some people, however, do not visit parks: about a third of populations in countries such as Australia or the United States did not partake in experiences in nature, with that figure doubling in countries such as China.
“People don’t have time or transport, or they are unfamiliar with the outdoors,” said co-author Diane Westaway, founder of Australian nature hiking company Coastrek.
“We give them a nudge and some social support.”
The research team, led by Griffith University, highlighted the reported global 63 per cent increase in anxiety and 26 per cent increase in depression during the past 15 years.
In response, they proposed a public health approach involving education, transport, and public parks and greenspaces, stating existing systems (such as antidepressants and counselling) were a key intervention but not always sufficient to meet the increased demand support.
Professor Emeritus Buckey and the team suggested “nature-based mental healthcare” (NBMHC) – regular, intentional exposure to natural environments – as a proven yet underused solution to improving mental health and alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The authors called for a shift to a public health model that treated access to nature as essential infrastructure for mental wellbeing, involving coordinated action across government portfolios, including health, parks, education and transport.
“Schools should include nature areas, public transport should connect commuters to greenspace, council reserves should have walking trails, and national parks should have infrastructure for independent visitors,” Professor Emeritus Buckley said.
“And public investments are paid for by reduced healthcare costs and increased workplace productivity.
“More than 50 per cent of all doctor visits are now for mental health, not physical health, but mental health gets only half a per cent of public health funds; it’s nature that makes up that deficiency.
“If taxpayers had to fund that missing mental healthcare, it would double our healthcare spending, an extra 10 per cent of gross domestic product in developed nations such as Australia.
“National parks and nature give us that for free, so we should make it easy and cheap for people to visit, not exclusive and expensive.”
A tiny opera for tiny people offers a magical theatre experience for young audiences and a response to the sleep struggles almost half of Australian children experience.
(L to R) Actor/singer Mia Lierich, Violinist Claire Litvinowicz and co-creator/flautist Tim Munro
Ellis and the Night Orchestra blends live music, gentle storytelling and playful imagination to create an intimate performance, inviting children to explore sound, emotion and creativity at The Corner, the State Library of Queensland’s playful learning space.
“We started by bringing together 15 young people, gathering thoughts about bedtime: their struggles, delights and fears,” Associate Professor Munro said.
“Then we worked alongside our three amazing performers and started to turn those thoughts into music.”
Featuring four musicians (violin, flute, percussion and an actor/singer), including Griffith acting alum, Mia Lierich, the story followed Ellis, who was too scared to sleep.
Every time he closed his eyes, he heard strange sounds, some of them scary.
But as the night unfolded, Ellis began to befriend the sounds, becoming the conductor of his very own night orchestra and transforming his fears into beautiful music.
“Sleep problems affect 38 per cent of Australian children, and 14 per cent have moderate to severe sleep problems,” Professor Donovan said.
“When children do not get enough sleep, it affects every aspect of their life – their physical health, their mental health, their ability to interact with other children, their ability to function at school – everything.
“Furthermore, when kids don’t sleep, parents don’t sleep, and that can effect parent mental health and ability to function.”
Associate Professor Munro said he hoped audiences would discover that music could express far more than they previously thought.
“We hope the children who come to the show feel seen and heard, and that grown-ups can laugh at familiar situations but can also understand better the thoughts and feelings of their children.”
The free show will tour libraries across Queensland during school holidays in 2026/7, including in Toowoomba, Warwick, Townsville, Cairns and Mackay.
Dr Kiran Thapaliya
The brain’s waste clearance system is impaired in people living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) which can lead to various symptoms including brain fog, Griffith University researchers have discovered.
The research demonstrates, for the first time, the impact ME/CFS has on glymphatic function which is responsible for clearing the brain of metabolic waste products and is mostly active during sleep and disengaged while a person is awake.
Lead author Dr Kiran Thapaliya from Griffith’s National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED) said when the brain’s waste clearance system did not work properly, harmful waste could build up causing neuroinflammation.
“This study is the first to demonstrate impaired glymphatic function in ME/CFS using MRI, providing a mechanistic explanation for the inflammatory changes reported by other Australian and international teams,” he said.
“This suggests that dysfunction in the brain’s natural cleaning system may be a key driver of this condition.”
Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik
Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, NCNED Director, said not only did reduced glymphatic function cause brain fog, but also caused sleep disturbance.
“The study found worse sleep is associated with poor brain waste clearance, reinforcing the notion that sleep plays a critical role in maintaining brain health,” she said.
“We hope the results can pave the way for better diagnosis through the use of non-invasive procedures, and importantly, future treatment for patients.”
The paper ‘Disrupted glymphatic function and its relationship with sleep and cognitive impairment in ME/CFS assessed via DTI-ALPS’ has been published in Frontiers in Neuroscience.
In a world first, Griffith University researchers have identified a key immune cell dysfunction in people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), offering new clues on the condition.
The study addressed a critical question: Are the mitochondrial deficits reported by other researchers a downstream consequence of the ion‑channel and calcium abnormalities previously identified?
PhD Candidate Chandi Magawa
Lead author, PhD Candidate Chandi Magawa, and the research team from Griffith’s National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED), used advanced live‑cell imaging to observe TRPM3‑dependent calcium movement into mitochondria in real time.
“We found a significant TRPM3-calcium pathway dysfunction in ME/CFS, resulting in impaired calcium entry into mitochondria, a region of the cell responsible for energy production,” she said.
“It explains how reduced calcium entry into mitochondria may impair immune cell function and energy production, the process effectively triggering a chain reaction in the body.”
Dr Natalie Eaton-Fitch
Dr Natalie Eaton-Fitch said ME/CFS was a serious and complex condition in which there was no cure or treatment.
“The latest data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimates 219,000 Australians are living with the illness,” she said.
Symptoms included profound, persistent exhaustion; post-exertional malaise, pain, cognitive difficulties, dizziness, temperature instability and sensory sensitivity, which could severely restrict day-to-day functioning, education, employment and social participation.
NCNED Director, Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, said the study helped to explain the underlying biological dysfunction, moving the condition further away from being misunderstood or dismissed.
Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik
“This research could contribute towards new diagnostic biomarkers and therapies focusing on ion channel dysfunction or calcium signalling,” Professor Marshall-Gradisnik said.
The research was funded by the Stafford Fox Medical Research Foundation.
The paper ‘Deficient TRPM3-linked mitochondrial Ca2+ influx in natural killer cells associated with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome’ has been published in BMC Immunology.
Australians spend more on video games than they do on films, TV, music and books and a growing number of them want their gaming dollars to have a positive social impact.
Associate Professor Justin Carter, games designer and Deputy Director at GFS, said GameLab: Project Uplift was about using game design, interactive storytelling and livestream culture to build understanding, participation and support for an essential service for regional and remote communities.
“Games can help people step into a story and see what it takes to deliver care across distance,” Associate Professor Carter said.
“For the RFDS (Queensland Section), that might mean prototyping experiences where players coordinate an emergency retrieval, manage limited resources, or follow a patient journey from the first call for help through to care.”
General Manager, Fundraising, in the Queensland Section of RFDS, Erin McCabe, said the partnership with Griffith was an opportunity to combine social impact with real health impact, using interactive experiences to raise vital funds and connect more Australians with the lifesaving work the service delivers in rural and remote communities.
“Gaming creates a powerful sense of collective impact, bringing people together to take part in something bigger than themselves and younger Australians are already showing us they want to back causes that make a real difference,” Ms McCabe said.
A 48-hour Game Jam will give Griffith Film School students the opportunity to respond to an RFDS Queensland brief, develop ideas in teams, and build early game prototypes that explore awareness, storytelling, fundraising and community engagement.
“The Game Jam is the starting point,” Associate Professor Carter said.
“It gives students a chance to work quickly and creatively on a brief with genuine social purpose, while exploring how games can help people connect with the work of RFDS Queensland.”
Streamer and host at the Game Jam, Josh Taylor, also known as The Giant Kyote, said the gaming community offered charitable organisations a great opportunity to raise awareness.
“I’m all about spreading positivity with my followers and the chance to do good while gaming is really exciting,” he said.
Associate Professor Carter said the project could also create future opportunities for students to contribute through Griffith’s Work-Integrated Learning programs, prototype development, livestream support and audience testing.
“Our ambition is to build this into a longer-term games-for-good collaboration, where students, researchers, streamers and RFDS Queensland continue developing new ways to engage communities and support the Flying Doctor’s mission,” he said.
The ratings, which assess Griffith’s performance against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflect the immense work Griffith has carried out over many years, and which has meant the University continued to improve from equal fourth in the world in the last round.
The 2026 ratings have Griffith as equal first in the world for SDG 14 Life Below Water, after achieving a rank of fourth in 2025.
Griffith ranked first in Australia for four SDGs:
SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 14 – Life Below Water
SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Griffith Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans.
Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans said: “To be recognised as one of the world’s top two universities for impact is an outstanding achievement and a testament to the dedication of our staff, students and partners.”
Dean (Sustainability and Rankings) Professor Jennifer Boddy said: “As a values-led university, Griffith is committed to sustainability across our campus operations, research and teaching, and global partnerships.”
“Our staff, students, researchers and partners help bring this commitment to life by advancing knowledge that strengthens community resilience and working globally to drive sustainable development.”
A few highlights which contributed to Griffith’s sustainability impact include:
Dean (Sustainability and Rankings) Professor Jennifer Boddy.
– Griffith’s Integrated Water Management Plan, which guides how water is managed across campuses to protect downstream waterways and marine ecosystems
– Griffith’s landmark study revealing Queensland could produce enough renewable biomethane each year to supply around 73 per cent of the state’s gas demand
– Griffith’s ARC Centre of Excellence for Transforming Human Origins Research, one of only eight centres funded nationally in 2025
– Griffith’s nest box program, which supports native wildlife at Brisbane South, Logan and Gold Coast by providing habitat for species such as possums, gliders and the endangered powerful owl
– Griffith’s strategic partnership with Westpac Banking Corporation to strengthen Australia’s response to financial crime through workforce upskilling and applied research
The 17 UN SDGs provide a framework to achieve a better and more sustainable future by tackling climate change, providing health and education for all, eradicating inequality and oppression, and supporting sustainable economic growth.
The Sustainability Impact Ratings represent a relaunch of the previous THE Impact Rankings framework.
