Aileen's honours and PhD research investigated the neurophysiologic effect of tone-reducing ankle-foot orthoses using an outcome measure (the Hoffmann reflex) that had not previously been used in orthotics research. Her work earned her several awards including the David Myers University Medal (La Trobe University, 2005), Australian Postgraduate Award (2005), E. H. Armstrong Prize (La Trobe University, 2007), George Carter New Investigator’s Award (ISPO, 2008) and Best Research Paper Award (ISPO, 2009).

Following her studies, Aileen worked for 8 years as an orthotist in Melbourne gaining essential clinical experience. During this period she worked alongside a renowned foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon and developed a speciality in treating conditions of the foot and ankle.

Aileen is currently working as a lecturer in the discipline of prosthetics and orthotics and teaches across all year levels. She is also the research and industry honours coordinator for the discipline and is passionate about fostering research interest among her students. Aileen is active in supervising honours and post-graduate students in both research and industry pathways. Current research projects involve exploring the spatial visualisation ability of prosthetics and orthotics students as well as burnout in the profession.