Louise Koelmeyer is Head of Department and Associate Professor in the Department of Health Sciences at Macquarie University. She is also the Director of the Australian Lymphoedema Education, Research and Treatment (ALERT) Centre.

As Director, since January 2020, Louise’s focus is to strategically manage and develop the education, research and treatment arms of the innovative multidisciplinary translational research centre.

As Head, since February 2023, Louise develops and supports academics and academic endeavours by providing leadership to the Department and Faculty, and enhances the quality of teaching, research and community engagement within the Department.

Louise Koelmeyer graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Sydney in 1990 and was awarded her PhD from Macquarie University in April 2021. She has over 30 years of clinical experience in both public and private hospital, and clinic settings specialising in breast cancer rehabilitation and lymphoedema management in all areas of assessment, education, early detection and treatment. Louise is an accredited Lymphoedema Practitioner and is listed on the Australasian Lymphology Association’s (ALA) National Lymphoedema Practitioner Register.

Louise is a member of the ALERT Education teaching faculty, which offers a comprehensive training program aligned with the ALA Competency Standards. This program includes all essential learning and assessments required for accreditation as a Lymphoedema Practitioner. Additionally, the education offerings were designed to align with Macquarie University’s microcredentialing and curriculum architecture frameworks, with Louise playing a key role in the development of these programs and the Graduate Certificate in Lymphoedema Management.

Louise’s research interests are in achieving better outcomes in innovative early and advanced lymphoedema management through conservative and surgical treatment with her clinical interests and expertise in developing a therapeutic relationship with individuals and personalising treatment programs that support the individual’s needs and goals to achieve positive outcomes.

Louise welcomes Graduate Research students to join the ALERT Centre and is qualified to supervise MRes and PhD students, having completed Macquarie University's supervision training.