Our Team

Paul Larkin - Research Director

Dr Paul Larkin is the Research Director of the MSA Research Centre and a Senior Researcher jointly appointed between Maribyrnong Sports Academy and the Victoria University Institute for Health and Sport. He holds a PhD in Sport Science from the University of Ballarat and has worked at MSA since 2017, establishing the Centre in 2023. His research focuses on bridging the gap between science and applied settings, supporting coaches, practitioners, and organisations to enhance athlete development and performance pathways.

Sam Greer – Data Analyst

Sam Greer is a Data Analyst at the MSA Research Centre, specialising in applied statistics, data modelling, and R programming. He holds a Master of Applied Statistics from the Victoria University of Wellington. With over five years of experience in sports analytics, he has contributed to published research and elite sport environments, including the Wellington Saints’ 2021 NZNBL championship. His work supports data-driven decision-making and research innovation across the Centre.

Sara Hasani – MSA Lead Sport & Exercise Physiotherapist

Sara Hasani is the Lead Sport and Exercise Physiotherapist at MSA, specialising in adolescent sports medicine and injury reduction strategies. She holds a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from the University of Notre Dame Australia and a Master of Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy, along with a Master by Research in ACL injuries, from La Trobe University. She has worked in elite AFL environments with the St Kilda Football Club and Western Bulldogs Football Club.

Melissa Moore – Performance Psychologist

Dr Melissa Moore is a Performance Psychologist at the MSA Research Centre, specialising in sport and exercise psychology, mental health, wellbeing, and behaviour change. She holds a Bachelor of Behavioural Science and Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology from La Trobe University, a Master of Professional Psychology from Central Queensland University, a Master of Psychology (Sport & Exercise) from the Institute for Social Neuroscience, and a PhD from Victoria University. She works with athletes and teams to enhance wellbeing and performance through evidence-based approaches.

Brett Pallini - Psychologist

Ola Luczak – Dietitian

Gyan Wijekulasuriya – PhD Research Student / Strength and Conditioning Coach

Gyan Wijekulasuriya is a PhD Research Student at Victoria University and a Strength and Conditioning Coach at the MSA Research Centre. He holds a Masters by Research from Bond University and has been with MSA for four years. His work focuses on translating research into applied practice, with experience across elite, adolescent, and community sport, including collaborations with Swimming Australia, Queensland Academy of Sport, and the AFL

Ruizhu (Emma) Yang – PhD Research Student

Ruizhu (Emma) Yang is a PhD Research Student at Victoria University. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Physical Education and has been a lecturer at Harbin Sport University since 2012. She joined the Centre in 2025, contributing to research on youth mental health and wellbeing in school sport settings. Her doctoral research explores the psychological impact of structured sport academy environments on adolescent wellbeing.

Athanasios Kontogiannidis – PhD Research Student

Athanasios “Thano” Kontogiannidis is a PhD Research Student at the MSA Research Centre and Victoria University. He holds a Master of Sport and Exercise Science (Strength & Conditioning) and a Bachelor of Sport Science (Sport Coaching). Thano began at MSA in 2021 through a work placement and has since contributed to the soccer program through fitness testing, motor skill assessment, and load monitoring. His doctoral research examines how growth and biological maturation influence injury risk in youth athletes.

Parmida Hadi – PhD Research Student

Nick Busuttil – VU Collaborative Research Fellow

Dr Nick Busuttil is a Collaborative Research Fellow with the MSA Research Centre and Victoria University. He holds a PhD in Coaching Science from La Trobe University. Nick has worked at MSA since 2021 as a Tennis Performance Coach and commenced his research fellowship in 2026. His expertise spans movement science, learning design, and sports coaching, with experience across elite sport and applied biomechanics research. He has collaborated with organisations including the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Australian Defence Force, and has also worked as a consultant on the professional tennis tour (ATP & WTA).

Andrew Ross – VU Collaborative Research Fellow

Dr Andrew Ross is a Lecturer in Physiotherapy and Collaborative Research Fellow with the MSA Research Centre and the Victoria University. He brings over 15 years of clinical experience across elite sport and musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Andrew commenced with MSA in 2026 through the SPRAINS (Sports-Related Adolescent Ankle Ligament Injury Surveillance) project, focusing on ankle injury surveillance and prevention in adolescent athletes. He holds a PhD in sports injury prevention from the University of Sydney, with expertise in epidemiology, football injury prevention, and health economic modelling, and works closely with sporting organisations to translate research into practice.