Julia is the Clinical Specialist in Speech Pathology at St George Hospital. Her clinical work is in Head and Neck Surgery, ENT, Oncology and Respiratory. Additionally, she holds a post-doctoral research position within the Motility Unit, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. She is a Conjoint Associate Professor at the UNSW. Julia obtained her PhD in 2010, in swallowing following head and neck surgery, and her MSc Medicine in 2006, examining swallowing in Chronic Airflow Limitation.  Julia's research investigates swallowing physiology particularly following head and neck cancer in addition to novel treatments. As a member of the St George Swallow Centre, this group has had continuous competitive grant funding for 25 years to fund their research into swallowing disorders.