Dr Cassandra ‘Cat’ Lane (she/her) gratefully lives, works and plays on the traditional territories of the Awabakal people in NSW.
Dr Lane is a passionate public health practitioner and early career researcher with a PhD in Public Health and Behavioural Sciences (University of Newcastle, Australia) and a Master of Public Health (University of Victoria, Canada). Cat’s journey in academia has been marked by a particular interest in qualitative research methods and a commitment to advancing equity.
Currently, Cat serves as the co-lead of the Cultural and Equity Network within Hunter New England Population Health – a unit aimed at ensuring public health programs and services (targeting children and young people aged 0-18 years) are responsive to the unique needs of Indigenous communities and other priority populations across the region.
Drawing on her expertise in qualitative methods, Dr Lane’s current research is focused on the adaptation of community-based chronic disease prevention programs for rural and remote settings.
Through her work, Dr Lane is dedicated to enhancing access to public health services and empowering underserved communities to lead healthy lives. She values the perspectives and experiences of these communities, recognizing their strength and importance in shaping effective public health practice.