Dr Gabriela Mena Ribadeneira

Dr Gabriela Mena is an overseas-trained medical practitioner who currently works as Lecturer for Medical Education at the Academy for Medical Education. After moving to Australia, Gabriela completed a Master of Public Health in 2016 and a PhD in 2022, both at the University of Queensland. Her PhD thesis explored the relationships between physical activity and women’s reproductive health. Her research focuses on understanding the relationships between physical activity and reproductive health in women, ranging from pre-conception and reproductive health problems such as infertility and menstrual irregularities, to pregnancy and postpartum. This also includes investigating the associations between sedentary behaviour (e.g., sitting time) and body mass index with reproductive health outcomes. She has a special interest on how physical activity can affect the reproductive system in young adult women who are trying to conceive. Her work also incorporates behaviour change strategies to support individuals in adopting and maintaining healthier lifestyles, with a focus on facilitating sustainable physical activity habits and improving long-term health outcomes.

Gabriela’s teaching experience ranges from tutor and practicum facilitator to course coordinator and lecturer, across undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Australia and overseas. She has designed and delivered curriculum in both English and Spanish, gaining valuable experience in diverse educational settings. In recognition of her teaching expertise, Gabriela became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2022.

Gabriela's scholarly research focuses on intern readiness, exploring how medical education can better prepare students for the transition to clinical practice. She is also exploring how AI technologies can be integrated into medical training to enhance learning and support behaviour change, with the goal of improving both student development and patient care.