Amy Jo Vassallo understands the importance of being flexible—and not just because she loves dance. Her career as a medical science researcher has taken her through roles in government, hospitals, and research centres. Eventually, it led her to pursue what she truly loves as part of her PhD.
Her research in medical science, inspired by her own experiences as a dancer, aims to better understand the injuries common among dancers.
“I’ve always been interested in the human body and how it works,” Amy says. “I think my early dance training—and the injuries that came with it—sparked that fascination.”
Dance is physically demanding. It offers many health benefits but also carries an inherent risk of injury. Some injuries are minor, but others can be life-changing. By better understanding the magnitude, causes, and effects of dance-related injuries, Amy believes they can be more effectively prevented.
Career Opportunities in Health and Research
Amy began her career with a Bachelor of Medical Science at the Australian National University (ANU). She then advanced her skills with a Master of Community and Health Development. This postgraduate knowledge led her to a job with the ACT government, where she offered policy advice on health. For Amy, working in government was a learning experience in its own right.
“It really opened my eyes to the inner workings of the health system,” she says. “That big-picture view taught me that evidence isn’t just about data. It’s also about community consultation and making sure your research is relevant.”
Amy believes that continuous learning has been key to her career in medical science.
“If you had told me in high school that I would be using statistics regularly—and actually enjoying it—I wouldn’t have believed you,” she laughs. “But as my career evolved, so did my skills.”
After working as a research officer at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Amy became increasingly fascinated by the idea of pursuing her own medical science research. This interest inspired her to start a PhD in dance injury research. However, she admits she still doesn’t know where it will ultimately lead.
“I’m starting to realise that I genuinely don’t know what my future career goal is,” Amy says. “But I know what I don’t want. During my PhD, I’m taking the opportunity to meet and talk with as many inspiring people in health and science as I can. Hopefully, that will help me figure it out.”
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Expanded Role as a Medical Science Researcher
Amy’s passion for research and public health goes beyond dance injuries. She is an Honorary Fellow in the Global Women’s Health Program at the George Institute for Global Health. Here, she focuses on addressing sex and gender-based biases in medical research. With a PhD in epidemiology, Amy is committed to developing evidence-based policies to close the gaps in health outcomes caused by these biases.
Her work also involves tackling issues like immunisation, chronic disease prevention, and gynaecological cancer control. Amy is a strong advocate for equity in research. She holds advisory roles on national committees that support early-career researchers and promote gender equity. Through her leadership research with Franklin Women, Amy is contributing to the national evidence base for gender equity initiatives in Australia.
Considering Medical Acience? Amy’s Advice:
- Do it! It’s a broader, more diverse, interesting, and exciting field than you might expect.
- Get to know people in the field you’re interested in. They genuinely enjoy talking about their work and want to share their experiences.
- Be a yes person. Take advantage of any opportunities that come your way.
Amy’s Timeline
- Honorary Fellow, Global Women’s Health Program, George Institute for Global Health
- Bachelor of Medical Science, Australian National University
- Master of Community Health Development, University of Canberra
- Policy adviser, Canberra Hospital & ACT Department of Health
- Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional Science, University of Canberra, part-time
- Research officer, National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
- PhD, studying dance injury epidemiology, University of Sydney