Diana Mendez

Dr Diana Mendez is a senior lecturer with over 10 years of experience of proven excellence in higher research education across the continuum of postgraduate programs at James Cook University (JCU), from beginner researcher students to doctoral candidates. Diana currently works in a unique split role between the Research Division and the Academy Division. She brings a wealth of expertise to her Higher by Research Degree (HDR) Academic Mentor role in the Graduate Research School (GRS). Drawing from her experience working as a key academic staff leading the nationally and internationally recognised Cohort Doctoral Studies Program (CDSP, 2015-2024), Diana designs and facilitates HDR professional development workshops, activities and resources, uses quality control and improvement strategies to enhance the HDR professional program and mentors and supports HDR candidate networking, peer-learning and well-being. From building the research capacity of health professionals who were completing a HDR program at JCU while balancing work and personal commitments, through her role in the CDSP, Diana has now expanded her reach to HDR candidates from all disciplines and industries in her GRS role.

Diana is also the Course Coordinator of the Graduate Certificate of Research Methods and the Graduate Diploma of Research Methods; two Academy owned courses used as pathways in HDR programs at JCU. These courses are offered across all colleges and disciplines within the Academy and are centred on two core subjects she also coordinates; RM8501 - Research Planning and RM8502 - Research Project. These subjects are also accessible to some Master by coursework students (M Lifestyle Medicine, M Information Technology, Master Guidance & Counselling, M Medical Science , and formerly M of Governance & Leadership) wanting to gain eligibility to HDR programs at JCU.

Diana’s 25 years of research experience in a wide variety of human and animal health-related topics using an array of research methodologies (quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods). Her broad research experience is reflected in her publication track record and research topics of interest and: One Health; Public Health; Wildlife Health; Biosecurity; Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases; Management of Zoonoses (in particular Australian Bat Lyssavirus and Hendra Virus); Infection Prevention and Control; Higher Research Education. Diana has mostly been involved in applied research projects with the aim of gaining new understandings to address real world issues. Her collaboration with Public Health and Veterinary Academics and professionals has led to several research outputs co-authored with industry partners also biosecurity educational materials (videos and posters) hosted by the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Industry Association biosecurity web page (https://www.htba.com.au/biosecurity) she produced for equine veterinarians and stud farm staff.  

One Health, Infection Prevention and Control, Infectious Diseases, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Zoonoses, Public Health, Veterinary Public Health, Biosecurity, Higher Degree by Research Programs, Postgraduate Research Education, Mixed Methodologies

Dr Diana Mendez is passionate about research education and has dedicated the last 10 years to building research capacity in the Health Industry and beyond. She is attuned to the challenges this established professional face and has a respectful student-centric approach to the teaching and learning activities she designs and facilitates. She understands the complexities of transitioning from undergraduate structured/directed learning to mostly self-directed research learning. To successfully make this transition, novice student researchers must go through iterative phases of transformative learning to become confident and independent long-life learners-researchers. She is committed to deliver an authentic student experience who thrive on achieving excellent research outcomes that can be translated back into industry practice. She has facilitated a wide variety of research related topics:

Getting organised - Mind mapping - Literature review (Health) - Practical academic writing - Research Proposals - Research integrity - Data collection, analysis & presentation -  Mixed methods - Survey design - Quantitative data analysis - Critical/Peer-reviewing & publishing - Effective presentations - 3MT: Let’s get started - Mentoring & Capacity Building - Using Word effectively - Key Features of a good manuscript - Mothering while completing a HDR program;

and research education activities:

Student conferences - Writing retreats - Journal Clubs - Peer-group networking - Panel discussions - Wicked Problem competition - Mentoring.

Diana’s dual background in animal and public health also feeds in her interest in advancing the educational One Health agenda through service teaching.