Bella is a proud Garumga woman who grew up in Meanjin (Brisbane). She is a Senior Research Assistant in the Health and Wellbeing Team, where she contributes to impactful research and projects aimed at improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Bella has completed her Bachelor of Health Sciences majoring in Public Health at the University of Queensland. She has also gained valuable experience at the UQ Poche Centre, where she assisted Professor James Ward & Study Coordinator Kellie Stacey on the GOANNA Survey 3. This project is one of the most significant studies investigating the sexual health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. By supporting the data collection and community engagement processes, Bella helped ensure the research reflected the voices and lived experiences of Indigenous youth, contributing to the development of culturally responsive health initiatives.
Passionate about fostering the health and wellbeing of mob, Bella is driven by a commitment to addressing the health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Her interests include health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, thyroid issues, sexual health and mental health. Bella aims to continue contributing to transformative health research and initiatives that empower Indigenous communities and foster equity in health outcomes.