Dr Menglu Ouyang is a research fellow at the George Institute for Global Health in Sydney, Australia, and a Conjoint Lecturer at the University of New South Wales. Her research field is in stroke, including acute care, clinical management, health system and implementation science
What’s your story? Tell us a bit about yourself!
I grew up in Kunming, a beautiful city known as the "Spring City" in the southwest of China. In 2013, I moved to Australia to pursue my undergraduate studies. Before embarking on my PhD at Â鶹Éçmadou, I trained as a nurse and earned a Master's degree in Public Health. My clinical experience, combined with a keen interest in cardiovascular diseases, inspired me to further my education and pursue a career in research.
What’s your research all about, and what’s the most exciting part for you? Â
My research interests focus on stroke, particularly in the areas of acute care and clinical management. Currently, my work focuses on implementing evidence-based interventions to enhance stroke care systems, aiming to bridge knowledge gaps in clinical guidelines and inform global implementation strategies. One key project is the implementation evaluation of the INTERACT3 trial, a landmark high-quality clinical trial published in The Lancet, which provided robust evidence for managing intracerebral haemorrhage and drove changes in clinical practice. This research has resulted in editorial invitations, updates to clinical guidelines by the International Society, and contributed to the development of an implementation study in Africa, funded by the World Stroke Organization.
What inspired you to step up as co-chair of the ECR Committee?
I am passionate about supporting my peers, as I have frequently benefited from the support of others. As an early career researcher (ECR) myself, I understand the unique challenges that ECRs often face. I believe that, as a co-chair, I can help build capacity and foster career development opportunities for ECRs.
As an ECR, what’s been one of your biggest challenges, and how did you tackle it?
Securing grants and funding is one of the most significant challenges faced by ECRs. Research can be costly, and the competition for grants is intense. Instead of immediately aiming for large, highly competitive grants, I think ECRs can begin with smaller, more manageable funding opportunities. These may include internal university grants, seed funding, or smaller research grants from professional societies. Collaborating with senior researchers or those with established funding records can also improve the chances of securing financial support. Lastly, don’t be discouraged by rejection! Funding is highly competitive, and rejection is a common experience. Use the feedback to refine your proposals and apply again.Â
Beyond research, what hobbies or activities keep you inspired and energised?
As a physically active person, I enjoy a variety of hobbies, including scuba diving, dancing, and snowboarding. I also find relaxation and a sense of accomplishment in indoor activities like baking and sewing. Making cakes and sewing dresses as a form of retreat brings me great joy.