Di is responsible for the facilitation and coordination of any research the medical students undertake. Di developed and oversees the Clinician Scientist Track and the Student Research Portal which encourages student interest and experience in a variety of research.

Researcher links

Research focus

A focus of my research is longitudinal studies to gain an understanding of medical student well-being through investigations of personality and associations with behaviour and psychological constructs as indicators of coping and resilience.

Another focus is on research education in undergraduate and medical students to encourage and motivate an interest and participation in meaningful research.

Current Projects

See Medical Student Research Portal

Researcher biography

Emerita Professor Diann (Di) Eley is the former Director of MD Student Research and Director of Research Training in the Faculty of Medicine. Currently Chair of the UQ Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC B) and associate editor of the journal, Focus on Health Professional Education (FoHPE).

Research career began with 20 years as a bench scientist in bio-medical laboratories in Kenya and the UK. Academic career began in 2000, receiving a PhD in health psychology from University of Bristol. Moved to the School of Medicine at UQ in 2003.

Primary research focus is research training and rural health workforce. Developed and implemented the Clinician-Scientist Track (MD-PhD and MD-MPhil) in the UQ Medical School.

Over 150 peer reviewed journal publications and received UQ and national awards for programs that enhance learning.

  • 2015: The University of Queensland Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
  • 2015: The University of Queensland Award for Excellence in Leadership
  • 2014: Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Senior Teaching Excellence Award
  • 2014: Dean's Award for Innovation in Curriculum Development. School of Medicine
  • 2013: The University of Queensland Faculty of Health Sciences Award for Teaching Excellence.
  • 2006: National Carrick Award for Australian University Teaching – Innovation in curricula,
  • 2005: The University of Queensland Awards for Enhancement of Student Learning