# Track record, funding, & mentorship Over the course of my career, I have successfully supervised three post-doctoral fellows and 15 PhD students to completion, and I am currently supervising six post-graduate students embedded in Australian high-performance sport organizations. These context-specific partnerships provide the avenue for rigorous academic research and direct applied sports-science translation, ensuring my research impacts both the academic community and practical sports environments. A key focus of my work has been to influence a new generation of exercise and sport professionals to seriously consider the physiology unique to female athletes. Since my first publication in 2000, which examined sex-related differences in the response to exercise, I have published 95 refereed journal articles documenting the responses to exercise in women. My research continues to be a leading voice in this area, with 73% of my total publications authored as the first or senior (last) author—a significant accomplishment given that only 17% of senior authorship positions in sports science journals are held by women (Martinez-Rosales et al., 2021). Since returning to full-time research in January 2020, I have published 60 refereed journal articles, 45% of which included only female participants. This is in stark contrast to the global academic landscape, where over the past two decades, only 7% of publications in leading sports science journals have exclusively studied women (Costello et al., 2014; Ose et al., 2024). My current research, funded at approximately $1.5 million, centers on athlete development, performance prediction, and cultural diversity, with a strong emphasis on female athletes. A key priority is cultural diversity, where I lead projects that establish inclusive pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Pacific Island athletes. These initiatives ensure culturally competent sports science practices and provide underrepresented athletes access to better training and competition opportunities, driving both participation and performance improvements. In athlete development, I focus on bridging gaps between long-term training models and elite competition, particularly in women’s strength and power sports, optimizing development pathways for young athletes transitioning to professional levels. In performance prediction, I examine factors such as muscle typology and rate of force development to enhance talent identification and training outcomes, with a particular emphasis on female athletes. # Evidence of research impact My research focuses on female athletic performance and sports pathways for under-represented communities, with significant impact on both practice and policy. Based, in part, on the outcomes of my research [e.g., #2], the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) established the Female Performance and Health Initiative (FPHI) to conduct female-athlete-specific research, deliver targeted education, and improve knowledge about female athletes within the AIS support systems. As a direct result of this initiative, the biannual Women in Sport Congress was created to bring together leading experts from academia and industry to present cutting-edge research and best practices in this space. The congress serves as a platform for both external delegates and internal stakeholders to collaborate, share knowledge, and drive forward the agenda on female athlete health and performance. I am the Co-Chair of this congress, facilitating critical discussions and partnerships that shape the future of female-focused sports science. Beyond academia, my research has directly influenced the National Rugby League Women’s (NRLW) competition, leading to the extension of match durations from 60 to 70 min based on evidence from my team's research and subsequent report submission. Under my leadership, Griffith University and the Commonwealth Games Federation developed GAPS, an inclusive sports pathways program for para-sport athletes in Pacific developing countries. Now recognized as the Commonwealth Games Federation's flagship development initiative, GAPS has been highly successful across the Commonwealth’s five regions. Our research highlighted significant differences between high-performance systems in the Pacific and Australia, emphasizing the need for more sustainable, locally relevant models. Despite challenges such as cultural adaptation and limited resources, GAPS proved effective in empowering athletes to compete at elite levels. The program’s impact extends beyond athletic performance. Five medals were won by GAPS participants, including historic firsts for the Cook Islands and Vanuatu. GAPS has not only enhanced athletes' global competitiveness but also developed leadership skills and established them as role models. For example, Vanuatu’s bronze medalist Friana Kwevira has become an advocate for women with disabilities, inspiring others with her message of ability over disability. Cook Islands’ lawn bowls athlete Taiki Paniani has similarly used his success to transform perceptions of the sport in his country. GAPS has promoted social inclusion, empowered women, and reshaped perceptions of disability within participating communities. Athletes like Kwevira and Miller Pata have become advocates for female participation in sport and more inclusive sporting environments. GAPS has demonstrated the power of targeted interventions to break down cultural and social barriers, positioning athletes as agents of change in their home countries. The program’s success has led to its continuation, with GAPS athletes invited to compete in selected para sport events at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. By creating sustainable pathways, GAPS has changed the lives of athletes, reshaped sport pathways for Pacific Island athletes, and driven long-term commitments to inclusion and diversity.