Evangelos Pappas
Details
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Department: Health and Biomedical Sciences
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Campus: Bundoora West Australia
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evangelos.pappas@rmit.edu.au
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ORCID:
0000-0003-0753-2432
Open to
- Masters Research or PhD student supervision
- Collaborative projects
- Industry Projects
- Media enquiries
- Membership of an advisory committee
About
Evangelos Pappas is the Director of RMIT’s MedTech Research and Innovation Hub, Professor of Musculoskeletal Health and RMIT's inaugural Professorial Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellow. His work sits at the intersection of engineering, computer science, and health, where he leads projects using technology to prevent injuries and improve recovery for people with musculoskeletal injuries.
A world expert on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries of the knee, Evangelos has spent his career uncovering why these injuries happen, how to get people safely back to sport, and how to stop them from happening in the first place. His research has shaped international guidelines, informed injury prevention programs, and developed new ways to measure movement using wearable sensors and AI.
Evangelos is passionate about turning research into real-world solutions. He works closely with industry, health services, and government partners to make sure new ideas move quickly from the lab into clinics and sports fields. Having worked in Australia, the United States, and Europe, Evangelos brings a truly global perspective to his work. He is regularly invited to speak at conferences around the world and as a guest on podcasts, radio and TV, sharing fresh insights on sports injuries, technology, and the future of healthcare.
Media
Research fields
- 420106 Physiotherapy
- 420701 Biomechanics
- 3206 Medical biotechnology
- 320216 Orthopaedics
- 320225 Sports medicine
- 4202 Epidemiology
UN sustainable development goals
- 3 Good Health and Well Being
- 4 Quality Education
- 10 Reduced Inequalities
Teaching interests
Professor Evangelos Pappas is deeply committed to educating the next generation of physiotherapists and researchers. He has taught across three continents, bringing together his clinical experience, research expertise, and passion for student development.
Evangelos began his academic career at Long Island University in New York, where he served as Department Chair of Physical Therapy and developed several core courses in biomechanics, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, and clinical decision-making. After moving to Australia, he became Head of Discipline for Physiotherapy at the University of Sydney, leading one of the largest physiotherapy programs in the world. During his tenure, he oversaw major curriculum updates, secured full program accreditation with excellent feedback, and mentored early-career academics to success.
At RMIT, Evangelos continues to inspire students by integrating cutting-edge research into the classroom and prioritising real-world learning experiences. He has supervised numerous PhD and research students, many of whom have gone on to successful academic and clinical careers. His teaching philosophy emphasises critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and preparing graduates to meet the future challenges of healthcare.
Research interests
Professor Evangelos Pappas’ research centres on understanding, preventing, and treating musculoskeletal injuries, with a special focus on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. His work spans the entire injury journey – from identifying risk factors and improving surgical and rehabilitation outcomes, to developing strategies that reduce the risk of first-time and repeat ACL tears. Evangelos is passionate about making rehabilitation athlete-centred and evidence-based, helping people return to sport safely and with confidence.
A key feature of his research is the use of advanced motion capture technology to study how people move. Evangelos and his team combine 3D motion analysis, wearable sensors, and artificial intelligence to better understand the mechanics of injuries. These tools allow them to detect subtle movement patterns that can predict injury risk and to evaluate whether rehabilitation programs are truly restoring normal movement.
Evangelos works closely with the Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery (ACMD), Northern Health and an international network of collaborators to ensure this research has a real-world impact. Together, they are developing innovative solutions that can be used in clinical and sporting environments – from practical injury prevention programs to decision-support tools for clinicians. These collaborations bring together researchers, clinicians, and industry partners, accelerating the translation of new technologies into improved patient care.
