Researchers

Leonie is a registered dental therapist who worked in mobile dental vans and established two fixed dental clinics in rural areas of NSW before commencing her teaching career at the Shellharbour School of Dental Therapy in 1980. She went on to work as an academic and researcher at the University of Wollongong, the University of New England, the University of Sydney and Queensland University of Technology (QUT). At QUT, she helped establish in 1988 Australia's first dual-skilled degree in Oral Health Therapy in conjunction with the University of Queensland.

In 2001, Leonie enjoyed her brief time as the 56th woman to be elected to the House of Representatives after winning the by-election for the Brisbane seat of Ryan. Post-parliament, Leonie worked for DRUG ARM Australasia and Teachers' Union Health in management and marketing roles. She was then the first academic to be appointed to the School of Dentistry and Oral Health at Griffith University on the Gold Coast - Australia's first new dental school for 57 years. Leonie has held several board positions in the not-for-profit sector including membership of the Public Records Review Committee in Queensland.

Leonie commenced work with Central Queensland University in 2011 to establish the Bachelor of Oral health degree at the North Rockhampton campus in the following year. She has been awarded over $1.8m in competitive research grants and produced numerous publications in referred journals. Leonie was the first dental therapist to be appointed as a Director to the Australian Dental Council in 2004 and was the first dental therapist to become a member of the Australasian Council of Dental Schools in 2012. Leonie is keen to progress the oral health therapy profession in terms of research, knowledge and skill development.