Mary Galea facts for kids

Mary Pauline Galea was born in 1951. She is an Australian physiotherapist and a neuroscientist. A neuroscientist studies the brain and nervous system. Mary Galea works at the University of Melbourne in Australia. She is known around the world for her important work. She helps people who have injuries to their spinal cord. She also helps them recover through special treatments.

What Mary Galea Studied

Mary Galea studied many things to become an expert in her field. She learned about how the body works and how to help people heal.

• She earned a Diploma in Physiotherapy in 1972. Physiotherapy helps people move and feel better.
• She got a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy in 1978.
• In 1986, she completed a Graduate Diploma in Neuroscience. This taught her about the brain and nerves.
• She also earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the University of Melbourne in 1992. This is a very high degree for researchers.
• Later, she studied how to manage clinical trials. These are studies that test new treatments.

Mary Galea's Important Work

Mary Galea has done a lot to help people recover from injuries.

Helping People with Spinal Cord Injuries

In 2004, Mary Galea started the Rehabilitation Sciences Research Centre. She was the director of this centre. Her team focused on finding ways to help people recover after a spinal cord injury. The spinal cord is like a superhighway for messages between your brain and body. When it's injured, it can be hard to move.

In 2009, Mary Galea led a big research project. It was called the 'Spinal Cord Injury & Physical Activity (SCIPA) program'. This program looked at how exercise could help people. It specifically helped them get better use of their hands after a spinal cord injury. The program lasted five years. It set up seven special units across Australia and New Zealand. These units tested new ways to help people move their legs again.

The Royal Melbourne Hospital's Hand Hub

Mary Galea also helped create the Hand Hub at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. This special place uses cool technology to help patients. It has robots, sensors, and even gaming technology. These tools help people get intense therapy for their hands and arms. This therapy is for patients who have had a stroke or other brain injuries. It helps them regain movement and strength.

Awards and Special Honours

Mary Galea has received many awards for her amazing work.

• She has been an honorary professor at several universities. These include The University of Sydney and The University of Queensland.
• In 2007, she won the Churchill Fellowship. This is a special award that helps people travel and learn more about their field.
• In 2014, she was added to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women. This list celebrates women who have done great things in Victoria, Australia.
• In 2019, she was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). This is a very high honour in Australia. It was for her "significant service to medical education" and her work in physiotherapy.
• In 2020, Mary Galea became a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. This means she is recognized as a top expert in health and medical science.