Skip to main content
  • Donate
  • News
  • Events
  • Contact us
UNSW logo
  • Kirby Institute
  • Research Research
      Kirby Institute
      Research
    • Focus areas Focus areas
        Research
        Focus areas
      • First Nations health
      • COVID-19 and emerging infections
      • Global health
      • HIV
      • Human papillomavirus (HPV)
      • Sexual health
      • Viral hepatitis
    • Research strengths Research strengths
        Research
        Research strengths
      • Biostatistics, modelling and analysis
      • Capacity building
      • Clinical trials and cohorts
      • Epidemiology and surveillance
      • Health economics and health systems
      • Immunovirology
      • New diagnostic approaches
      • Public health interventions
      • Social and behavioural sciences
    • Research teams Research teams
        Research
        Research teams
      • Research programs
      • Research groups
      • Advisory committees
    • Projects & reports Projects & reports
        Research
        Projects & reports
      • Projects
      • Reports
  • Study Study
      Kirby Institute
      Study
    • Future students Future students
        Study
        Future students
      • Postgraduate research
      • David Cooper Scholarship
      • Research opportunities
    • Research training Research training
        Study
        Research training
      • Cooper HIV/AIDS Research Training (CHART) Program
  • Support Support
      Kirby Institute
      Support
    • Support our research Support our research
        Support
        Support our research
      • Donate
      • David Cooper Memorial Fund
      • Gifts in will
    • Get involved Get involved
        Support
        Get involved
      • Join the community
  • About About
      Kirby Institute
      About
    • Who we are Who we are
        About
        Who we are
      • About us
      • Our people
      • Annual reports
      • Inaugural director
      • History
      • Contact us
    • Our structure Our structure
        About
        Our structure
      • Director
      • Leadership
      • Organisational structure
      • Research programs
      • Operations
    • News & events News & events
        About
        News & events
      • News
      • Events
      • Kirby Institute Newsletter

Breadcrumb

  1. Kirby Institute
  2. Our people
  3. Mel Fernando

Follow

Follow
Profile image
Research Officer

Ms Mel Fernando

Yandamanjang First Nations Health Research Program
Surveillance and Evaluation Research Program

Mel Fernando is a proud Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi/Yuwaalaraay/Euahlayi Woman from Dubbo in Western NSW. She is now currently living and working on the beautiful unceded lands of the Birpai People in Port Macquarie on the Mid North Coast. Mel was born and raised in Dubbo, before moving interstate living in Southeast Brisbane for a few years before moving back down the coast to settle in Port Macquarie for the last 6 years.

Mel has over more than 18 years of extensive experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, public health, and local health districts. Mel is a qualified an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner and Health Worker, working in various specialties such as Chronic Care, Public Health Immunisation, Palliative Care, Maternal and Infant Health, ACCHO Sector, NSW Education & NSW Aboriginal Legal Systems.

Mel’s current role at The Kirby Institute involves integrating Indigenous methodologies, cultural governance, frameworks, and principles of data sovereignty into all programs and projects she oversees, while continually advocating for these initiatives. Mel's role involves qualitative processes within the research projects and implementing and integrating Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing through processes such as Yarning Circles with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Mel completed a Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion at the University of Sydney in 2018.

Mel is also an Aboriginal Artist and Digital Graphic Designer, her designs are influenced by history and the stories from her grandparents, parents, Elders, country, waterways and her deep-rooted passion and strong connection for and with community. Each artwork develops and changes along the way telling the stories or journey of the beholder. She makes these connections and is inspired by not only what the story is but also how the artwork can carry through colours, symbols and patterns.

Mel has a strong passion and dedication to supporting, advocating, and understanding the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in various areas of public and community health which will see The Kirby Institute benefit from this experience, knowledge and expertise in these areas.

Support our work

Your generous support will make a huge impact.

Donate today

Stay informed

Subscribe to Kin, our quarterly newsletter.

Subscribe now

Want to know more?

If you have any questions, let us know.

Contact us