La Trobe University's Dr Ebonie Rio has been appointed to the inaugural role of Professor of Research at the Victorian Institute of Sport, a joint position that will embed world-leading injury prevention and performance science directly into the training of elite athletes.
Dr Rio will use her significant research expertise with high performance athletes to integrate evidence-based research into daily training and elite sport practice at the VIS. The VIS, along with La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre and the Australian Institute of Sport, is one of only 11 International Olympic Committee (IOC) Research Centres worldwide.
The timing of Dr Rio's appointment is especially significant, as it aims to strengthen athlete wellbeing and provide a competitive edge to maximise performance ahead of the next Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games.
Dr Rio said the inaugural role would enhance the already significant alignment between the two organisations, including cutting-edge research and expertise, and world-class athletes.
"This partnership will allow us to maximise the use of research and innovation to fast-track success and embed findings immediately into the athletes' daily performance environment," Dr Rio said.
"The timing couldn't be better, with the Winter Olympics finishing this month in Milano, Italy, the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland later this year, and then the Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Los Angeles in 2028, leading into a green and gold runway to our two home Games in Brisbane 2032."
"I can't wait to see what we can help our athletes and staff achieve."
La Trobe University Pro Vice-Chancellor, Health Innovation Professor Russ Hoye, said Dr Rio was passionate about athlete health and had led numerous projects in high performance sport, athletic development, digital health, injury prevention and athlete wellbeing research with key partners including The Australian Ballet.
"Ebonie brings a great deal of research leadership experience to this role, as well as her existing connections within the VIS and across the high-performance sport network in Australia," he said.
Nicole Livingstone AO, Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Institute of Sport, said: "Dr Rio's appointment ensures our athletes benefit from the very best global research in real time.
"That integration of research embedded in a daily training environment, a real-time feedback loop, research shaping practice, practice informing research, is just one of the ways we support the health of our athletes."
"The work undertaken by Dr Rio aims to directly inform VIS coaching, performance health and science as well as training protocols on the runway to LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032, giving Victoria a competitive edge."
Dr Rio will provide important mentoring support to La Trobe students and staff, and many projects will have wider implications and benefits for the community.
Dr Rio co-leads Research and Innovation activities alongside Dr Paolo Menaspa (Chief Science Officer AIS) for the High Performance 2032+ National Strategy and she will continue to work closely with other national sports institutes as part of the "Win Well" pledge.
La Trobe Pro Vice-Chancellor Industry Engagement Dr Megan Fisher said the appointment was well deserved recognition of Dr Rio's expertise and particularly acknowledged her significant contribution to the partnership with The Australian Ballet.
"Ebonie's drive, thoughtfulness and collaborative spirit have been central to progressing our shared research program-translating evidence into practice for dancer health and performance and helping to deliver outcomes of which we can all be proud," Dr Fisher said.
The position, while broadly collaborative, sits within Sport, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at La Trobe and Dr Rio will report to Professor Kate Webster who brings extensive, world leading research mentorship and expertise.
