Breast health and the female athlete

Deirdre is an Associate Professor at the University of Wollongong, where she has worked since 1998. She is the Co-founder and Director of Breast Research Australia (BRA). BRA is an internationally renowned and innovative centre of interdisciplinary researchers. It coordinates evidence-based research, education, commercial and clinical services on breast-related issues that limit females' physical activity and athletic performance. They aim to enable female athletes, active women, pregnant and postpartum women, and women living with breast cancer to maximize their participation and performance in physical activity and exercise.

Deirdre's clinical background as a sports physiotherapist has enabled her to drive clinically-focused research that addresses real-world, breast-related problems. Her research focuses on:

• Breast injuries and breast protective equipment in female contact and combat sports;
• Sports bra design and fit for performance in female athletes and active women;
• Breast-related issues that limit physical activity and athletic performance in women living with breast cancer and pregnant and postpartum women.

Deirdre is passionate about women benefiting from her research and links with sporting, sports medicine, and community-based organisations to ensure her research outputs are integrated and translated.