Djurali Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research and Education
Our Team (Bio of all staff)
Associate Professor, Carmen Parter - Cultural Lead
Prof Parter is a proud Murri woman from Darumbai and Jura clans of the Birra Gubba Nation, born in Bowen, QLD. She also has South Sea Island heritage from Tanna Island in Vanuatu.
After working in her local community as a registered nurse, midwife, and Aboriginal Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, she worked in government roles, shaping policies in child protection, law, justice and health at both state and national levels.
Associate Professor, Uncle Boe Rambaldini - Cultural Lead
Assoc Prof Uncle Boe Rambaldini is a proud Bundjalung man from the north coast of NSW. He has worked in a range of positions in local, state and federal governments, and in the private and NGO sector for over 35 years, with the majority of these positions in Aboriginal affairs.
The Djurali Centre within HRI use the Rambaldini model of co-design in all research engagements with Aboriginal people and communities.
Dr Uncle Joe Perry - Cultural Lead and Senior Research Fellow
Uncle Perry is an experienced innovator and effective administrator. He is committed to ongoing research in Aboriginal history and education and has a continuing interest in the ongoing development of Aboriginal pedagogies.
Amber Wombat Kerdel - Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer
Amber Wombat Kerdel is a proud Wirangu, Kokotha, and Mirning woman from the Far West Coast of South Australia, now living on Kaurna country. With a deep connection to her Munda (country), Amber is passionate about preserving and promoting Aboriginal culture.
As the Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer at the Djurali Aboriginal Research Centre, she works closely with communities to foster meaningful partnerships, amplify Indigenous voices, and support the cultural and social wellbeing of Aboriginal peoples.
Her diligent work and research on mums and babies helped her identify needs within Aboriginal families and communities, empowering her to advocate for better health and social outcomes.
Phillip Obah - Research Assistant
Phillip Obah is a descendant of the Wadja tribe, Central Queensland, he has a background in sociology and economics and have undertaken his cultural education during his formative years in the Southeast Kimberley region within the Walmajarri and Ngarti tribe.
He has been involved in the revival of traditional knowledge, lore and culture for over 10 years making the most of his undergraduate degree for social and economic development for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
He has an extensive background living in very remote, to remote, rural and regional city centres such as Townsville (Nyuwagi and Yuru Country), Palm Island (Manbara Country) Rockhampton/Gracemere (Darumbul and Warraburra Country), Woorabinda Aboriginal Community (Wadja Country), Billiluna (Walmajarri Country).
He is now a research assistant within the Djurali Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research and Education to be able to improve the quality of life for his people.
Kisani - Senior Research Officer
Kisani is a proud Gamilaraay/Wiradjuri woman from Tamworth, NSW. She has a bachelor's in nursing and recently submitted her PhD on Solastalgia from an Indigenist lens.
Kisani’s work centres on community-led, strengths-based approaches to Aboriginal health and wellbeing. Kisani uses art-based, Indigenist research methodologies to explore topics such as, climate change and connection to Country and community.
