School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport Executive
The School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport is led by an executive team who are experts in clinical and community health education and research.
Professor Russ Hoye
Professor Russ Hoye is the Dean of the School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport. An international expert in sport management and corporate governance, he has received more than $4M in research funding and has been Chief Investigator on three Australian Research Council grants and two Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council grants. Professor Hoye has published eight books and more than 75 journal articles. He is Editor of the Sport Management Series published by Routledge; a member of the editorial boards for Sport Management Review, the International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, and the Journal of Global Sport Management; past President of the Sport Management Association of Australia and New Zealand; and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Professor Jodie McClelland
Professor Jodie McClelland is a physiotherapist and currently serves as the Associate Dean of Research and Industry Engagement/Deputy Dean for the School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport. Professor McClelland has a strong track record in research that optimises recovery from knee surgery, particularly total knee replacement and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Professor McClelland’s research has been funded by national and international bodies including the National Health and Medical Research Council, National Institutes of Health (USA) and Arthritis Australia and has attracted prestigious awards including the Victorian Fellowship for Life Sciences. Professor McClelland has completed invited fellowships in Greece and the USA. Professor McClelland has previously served as a Head of Department, Discipline Lead in Physiotherapy and the Director of Graduate Research for the School.
Associate Professor Matthew Oates
Associate Professor Matthew Oates is Head of Clinical Education in the School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport. He has extensive experience in teaching undergraduate health professionals and has led major curriculum and course redesign projects. He leads the School's clinical education renewal program. His research is in the field of interprofessional education and collaborative practice, with a focus on the design of instruments to measure outcomes of interprofessional education in pre-qualification health professionals. He is a member of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Health Professional Educators. Associate Professor Oates is a registered podiatrist.
Associate Professor Deanna Horvath
Associate Professor Deanna Horvath is Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching in the School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport. Associate Professor Horvath has received numerous awards in recognition of her curriculum design and teaching contributions, including an Australian Award for University Teaching Citation in 2023 for her work in developing programs to support student transition and success. She is interested in university preparation programs, the first-year experience, technology, and technology enhanced learning including artificial intelligence, as well as innovative learning design. Associate Professor Horvath is passionate about equity in higher education and delivering an outstanding student experience, and is actively engaged in the Scholarship of Learning and Teaching.
Professor Regina Belski
Professor Regina Belski is the Associate Dean, Partnerships in the School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport. She is an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian (AdvAPD) and Registered Nutritionist. Professor Belski is a highly regarded researcher, award winning teacher and experienced clinician in dietetics. Her research is multi-dimensional, cross disciplinary and collaborative and she leads significant work in four distinct, yet complimentary, areas: sports and performance nutrition, functional food, metabolic health and scholarship of learning and teaching. Her work has had a significant impact on informing numerous national and global policies and guidelines, including being cited in: WHO, FAO, Australian Institute of Sport, and Australian Government Department of Health documents across a wide range of nutrition-related areas. Regina has extensive experience in building and nurturing partnerships with external organisations, including: clinical partners, industry, employers, sporting organisations, higher education providers and international collaborators.
Associate Professor Alicja Malicka
Associate Professor Alicja Malicka is the Director of Graduate Research in the School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, which offers graduate research programs to approximately 200 students conducting research across ten different disciplines. In her role, Associate Professor Malicka leads the Graduate Research Committee and provides input into policy development and review which enables her to influence and shape the experience of graduate researchers at La Trobe University. At the University level, Associate Professor Malicka provides input into policy development and review, as one of four Directors of Graduate Research appointed to the Board of Graduate Research. Associate Professor Malicka graduated with PhD in Audiology from the University of Manchester, UK in 2010. Her research falls within two themes that can be classified as auditory science (fundamental research) and translational hearing science (applied research) and is focused on diagnosis and rehabilitation of people with hearing loss and tinnitus.
Associate Professor Connie Koklanis
Associate Professor Connie Koklanis is the Head of the Department of Community and Clinical Health in the School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport. Associate Professor Koklanis is trained in Ophthalmology and Optometry her research spans from investigating best practice in the care of patients with ocular disorders to investigating innovations in models of service delivery.
Associate Professor Koklanis has extensive links in industry, having been the co-manager of eye services at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne and having taken on various roles within the professional association including President and Vice President of Orthoptics Australia and Australian Representative of the International Orthoptic Association.
Professor Shannon Munteanu
Professor Shannon Munteanu is a podiatrist and Head of the Department of Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Prosthetics and Orthotics in the School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport. Professor Munteanu is internationally recognised for his applied research investigating musculoskeletal disorders of the foot and ankle. He has been awarded more than $10M in research funding from prestigious national and international organisations, including the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Medical Research Future Fund, and National Institute of Health Research (UK). Previously, he served as the Discipline Lead for Podiatry. Professor Munteanu is dedicated to enhancing the cultural responsiveness and leadership skills of his team.
Professor Kate Webster
Professor Kate Webster is Head of the Department of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences in the School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport. She is an internationally recognised expert in orthopaedic and sports medicine research and was named Australia’s Top Researcher in Orthopaedic Medicine and Surgery in 2019, 2022 and 2023 (The Australian). Her research interests cover a range of topics pertaining to knee orthopaedics, including surgical techniques and outcomes, biomechanical changes after knee surgery and return to sport issues, with a focus on the psychological impact of returning to sport participation. She was the lead developer of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Return to Sport after Injury (ACL-RSI) scale and has over 300 book chapters and publications. She is a member of the Electronic Media Board for the American Journal of Sports Medicine and has appointments for many other advisory boards and international research working groups.
Ms Denise Strong
Ms Denise Strong is the Senior Manager in the School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, responsible for all business and operational functions that underpin the School’s performance. With more than 13 years’ experience in the tertiary sector, she provides strategic leadership across finance, workforce planning, resources, governance, policy implementation and operational risk—ensuring the School runs effectively in alignment with University requirements.
As the School’s senior professional leader, Ms Strong oversees all non‑academic operations and leads the professional and administrative team. She acts as the primary adviser to the Dean and School. Before joining La Trobe University, Ms Strong worked in the United Kingdom as a Principal Accountant for an arm’s‑length government organisation. An Associate of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, she brings strong financial acumen and a solutions‑focused, people‑centred leadership style to her role.
Read our Statement of Strategic Intent.