Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
Recipient of Member of the Order of Australia (AM) 2023, Professor Michelle Leech is Head of the Medical Course Monash University and Deputy Dean at the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences overseeing the delivery of Monash's medical program across the Clayton, Gippsland and Malaysia campuses. Professor Leech is the President of Medical Deans of Australia and New Zealand and was appointed to the Australian Medical Council Board of Directors in 2024. She maintains a Rheumatology consultant position and is the Head of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinic at Monash Health.
Professor Leech received her MBBS (Hons) from Monash University, and after residency training in Internal Medicine at Prince Henry’s Hospital, Melbourne, completed her advanced physician training at Monash Health. She undertook a PhD at the Monash University Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, which examined the role of the cytokine MIF in the neuroendocrine regulation of inflammation. Professor Leech’s basic research has focussed on cytokine biology, glucocorticoid action and cell cycle proteins in the context of Rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis. She also has an active research profile in medical and interprofessional education and has over 100 peer-reviewed publications.
Professor Leech has held many teaching roles in Medicine at Monash Health including Director of Physician Training as well as teaching roles at Monash University. She has received a number of teaching awards including the Australian Medical Students Association National Teaching award in 2014. She was also the recipient of Health Workforce Australia funding to develop Health Science Interprofessional Learning (IPL) opportunities across disciplines at Monash University and Monash Health.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Research area keywords
- Cytokine biology
- Glucocorticoid action
- Cell cycle proteins in the context of Rheumatoid Arthritis pathogenesis
- Medical education
- Interprofessional education
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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PROPHECY: Profiling immune RespOnses in Paediatric and High risk populations to SARS-CoV-2
McMahon, J. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), van Zelm, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Khoury, G. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Drummer, H. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Mulley, W. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Holland, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Woolley, I. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Ojaimi, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Rogers, B. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Hoi, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Trauer, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Sparrow, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Licciardi, P. V. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Giles, E. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Curtis, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Crawford, N. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Leech, M. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Westall, G. (Associate Investigator (AI)), O'Hehir, R. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Jones, A. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Morand, E. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Bosco, J. J. (Associate Investigator (AI)) & Turner, S. (Associate Investigator (AI))
Monash University, Alfred Health, Monash Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Burnet Institute (Australia), Spleen Australia, National Association of People with HIV Australia (NAPWHA) Incorporated, Musculoskeletal Australia , Safer Care Victoria (SCV)
1/06/22 → 30/05/26
Project: Research
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Introduction of Compassion Training to Medical Curricula: Impact on compassion and burnout
Leech, M. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Owen, K. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Harrison, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Leach, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Hassed, C. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Ling, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Dunford, L. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Jungst, C. (Chief Investigator (CI))
1/08/23 → 30/09/24
Project: Research
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P4P: How prepared are Monash healthcare graduates for practice? A qualitative longitudinal audio-diary study exploring new graduates
Rees-Sidhu, C. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Brock, T. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Leech, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Monrouxe, L. V. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Morphet, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Palermo, C. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Lyons, K. (Chief Investigator (CI))
Monash University – Internal Faculty Contribution
1/04/19 → 31/03/20
Project: Research
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Development of an Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) for internationally qualified nurses
Griffiths, D. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Brooks, I. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Endacott, R. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Dix, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Rees-Sidhu, C. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Barton, P. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Hall, H. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Gibson, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Harrison, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Ilic, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Maloney, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Leech, M. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Adams, K. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Merriman, C. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Fuller, R. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Homer, M. (Associate Investigator (AI)) & Vance, S. (Associate Investigator (AI))
20/12/17 → 30/06/19
Project: Research
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Evaluating the outcomes of undergraduate medical and biomedical student research
Wallace, M. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Cole, T. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Leech, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Solarsh, G. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Lindley, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Wallace, E. (Chief Investigator (CI))
Monash University – Internal Faculty Contribution
1/07/17 → 3/07/18
Project: Research
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Exploring preparedness transitions in medicine and pharmacy: a qualitative longitudinal study to inform multiprofessional learning opportunities
Ottrey, E., Rees, C. E., Kemp, C., Lyons, K. M., Brock, T. P., Leech, M., Monrouxe, L. V. & Palermo, C., Jun 2025, In: Advances in Health Sciences Education. 30, 3, p. 711-734 24 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access10 Citations (Scopus) -
Graduating medical students’ perception of preparedness for practice: experiential learning is key
Louey, C. Y. M., Zeng, A., Roberts, S., Harrison, J., Palermo, C., Leech, M. & Kumar, A., Dec 2025, In: BMC Medical Education. 25, 1, 13 p., 1402.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access -
Preparing Medical Students and Physicians to Cope With Their Medical Errors: A Scoping Review
Harrison, J., Ting, C. Y., Leech, M., Molloy, E. & Bearman, M., 2025, In: Academic Medicine. 100, 10, p. 1218-1225 8 p., 06120.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access1 Citation (Scopus) -
Factors influencing decision-making processes for intensive care therapy goals: A systematic integrative review
Kelly, D., Barrett, J., Brand, G., Leech, M. & Rees, C., Sept 2024, In: Australian Critical Care. 37, 5, p. 805-817 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access2 Citations (Scopus) -
SMART-SLE: serology monitoring and repeat testing in systemic lupus erythematosus—an analysis of anti-double-stranded DNA monitoring
Yeo, A. L., Kandane-Rathnayake, R., Koelmeyer, R., Golder, V., Louthrenoo, W., Chen, Y. H., Cho, J., Lateef, A., Hamijoyo, L., Luo, S. F., Wu, Y. J. J., Navarra, S. V., Zamora, L., Li, Z., An, Y., Sockalingam, S., Katsumata, Y., Harigai, M., Hao, Y. & Zhang, Z. & 22 others, , Feb 2024, In: Rheumatology. 63, 2, p. 525-533 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access13 Citations (Scopus)
Prizes
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Research grant award from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences Learning & Teaching Research Grant Scheme, Monash University.
Rees-Sidhu, C. (Recipient), Brown, T. (Recipient), Hood, K. (Recipient), Kent, F. (Recipient), Leech, M. (Recipient), Newton, J. (Recipient), Storr, M. (Recipient) & Williams, B. (Recipient), 2016
Prize: Other distinction
Press/Media
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What is rheumatoid arthritis, the condition tennis champion Caroline Wozniacki lives with?
25/10/19
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Article/Feature