NHMRC has established the ME/CFS Guideline Development Committee to oversee the guideline development process and draft recommendations.

Terms of reference

The ME/CFS Guideline Development Committee will oversee and provide expertise on the guideline development process including:

  1. Determining the scope of the guidelines and key issues for consideration.
  2. Advising on the evidence evaluation process by:
    • prioritising topics and questions for a systematic evidence review
    • advising on the draft research protocol for the systematic review
    • evaluating the evidence identified through a systematic search and selection process
    • applying the GRADE methodology to assess the certainty of evidence.
  3. Developing a draft of the guidelines for public consultation, to be provided to NHMRC Council for consideration and NHMRC CEO for release.
  4. Considering feedback from public and targeted consultation activities and advising on changes for the final version of the guideline.
  5. Developing a final draft of the guidelines in accordance with NHMRC Standards.

Meeting summaries

To support transparency in the development of the ME/CFS Clinical Practice Guidelines, the GDC will release a summary after each of its meetings.

Available summaries are provided below:  

Member selection and appointment process

Since commencing this work, NHMRC has consulted widely with several stakeholders including patient advocacy groups, clinicians, researchers, medical colleges, and government agencies.

Potential candidates for the Guideline Development Committee were sourced through an expression of interest process facilitated by medical colleges, consideration of NHMRC’s research networks, and suggestions through consultations with the above groups.

NHMRC carefully considered a range of candidates against the following criteria:

  • a degree of subject matter expertise in the topic areas through professional and/or personal experience
  • an ability to review the evidence and provide advice
  • an ability to provide an impartial perspective on the evidence and practice.

Potential candidates for both committees were asked to provide their declarations of interest and were subject to NHMRC research integrity checks.

In forming the committees, consideration was given to:

  • clinical, research and patient lived experience necessary to advise on the evidence
  • disclosed interests
  • geographic location
  • gender balance, and
  • a balance of views across the Committee.

Committee Membership

Prior to appointment to the committee, applicants were required to provide information on their interests and complete a Disclosure of Interest form. 

Committee members are required to disclose their interests on an ongoing basis and consider both perceived and actual interests.  A summary of the interests disclosed by each member is available below.

The members of the ME/CFS Guideline Development Committee were appointed based on their expertise in areas such as general practice, allied health, lived experience, shared decision making, fatigue, sleep, ME/CFS research, paediatrics, research methodology and evidence translation, or related conditions, such as Long COVID, fibromyalgia and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Dr
Gary
Deed
(Chair)

Declaration
  • Pharmaceutical advisory boards and education related to diabetes/obesity/metabolic disorders: Astra Zeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Lily, MSD, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Sequiris
  • Member of RACGP Quality Care committee; Chair RACGP Diabetes specific interest
  • Co-author of one research paper on Long COVID and ME/CFS
  • Prior Medical Advisor to the Board of Myalgic Encephalitis Group of Australia (resigned in 2024).

Professor
Tammy
Hoffman
(Deputy chair)

  • Leads the Centre for Evidence-Informed Health Decisions in the Institute of Evidence-Based Healthcare at Bond University, which is primarily focused on helping people make informed decisions about health
  • Research aims to closely integrate shared decision making and evidence-based practice so that evidence is translated into practice better, and in a more patient-centred way
  • Research aimed at health professionals includes developing and evaluating strategies and tools (such as patient decision aids) to increase the awareness and usability of evidence about interventions and skills for incorporating this into conversations with patients.
Declaration
  • Nil

Dr
Chris
Armstrong

  • Director of the Melbourne ME/CFS Collaboration (supported by Open Medicine Foundation Australia)
  • Established the application of metabolomics to ME/CFS, focuses on disease mechanism research and developing precision tools/treatments for ME/CFS.
Declaration
  • Has discussed publicly and signed letters that were against the use of graded exercise therapy on ME/CFS
  • Member of the Medical & Scientific Advisory Committee of Emerge Australia who have campaigned for an update of the Australian ME/CFS guidelines.

Ms
Simone
Eyssens

Declaration
  • Employed by Emerge Australia
  • Contributed to Emerge Australia’s Clinical Guidelines Position Statement
  • Presentation to Parliament House ME/CFS roundtable discussion in 2024, highlighting the need for updated clinical guidelines
  • Contributed to the development of Emerge Australia’s clinical education, patient support information, website and fact sheets
  • Member of the volunteer group ME Advocacy Network Australia.

Emeritus Professor
Paul
Fisher

  • Head of Microbiology, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology (2004–2020), Emeritus Professor (2020–), La Trobe University
  • Chair of Emerge Australia's Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee
  • Research interests include studying the role of mitochondria and biomolecules in cells and blood plasma from people with ME/CFS to discover clinically useful rapid diagnostic tests.
Declaration
  • Multiple media appearances speaking about ME/CFS and Long COVID (radio & TV)
  • Multiple presentations at scientific research conferences & Parliamentary Friends of ME/CFS meetings in Canberra
  • Emerge Australia Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee Chair – led many grants/projects on ME/CFS
  • Member of Access Committee for The Australian ME/CFS and Long COVID (AusME) Registry and Biobank
  • Chair of Emerge Australia's Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee, member of Access Committee for AusME Registry and Biobank
  • Active researcher on molecular and cellular abnormalities in ME/CFS and Long COVID.

Relevant Publications:

  • Daniel Missailidis, Sarah J. Annesley & Paul R. Fisher (2019) Pathological mechanisms underlying Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Diagnostics 2019, 9(3), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics9030080. (JIF=4.74)
  • Daniel Missailidis, Sarah J. Annesley, Claire Y. Allan, Oana Sanislav, Brett A. Lidbury, Donald P. Lewis & Paul R. Fisher (2020) An isolated Complex V inefficiency and dysregulated mitochondrial function in immortalized lymphocytes from ME/CFS patients. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(3), 1074. (JIF=5.9)
  • Daniel Missailidis, Oana Sanislav, Claire Y. Allan, Sarah J. Annesley & Paul R. Fisher (2020) Cell-based blood biomarkers for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21(3), 1142. (JIF=5.9)
  • Missailidis, D.; Sanislav, O.;Allan, C.Y.; Smith, P.K.; Annesley, S.J.; Fisher, P.R. (2021). Dysregulated Provision of Oxidisable Substrates to the Mitochondria in ME/CFS Lymphoblasts. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22, 2046. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22042046. (JIF=5.9)
  • Bahar Kavyani, Brett A. Lidbury, Richard Schloeffel, Paul R. Fisher, Daniel Missailidis, Sarah J. Annesley, Mona Dehhaghi, Benjamin Heng and Gilles J. Guillemin (2022) . Could the kynurenine pathway be the key missing piece of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) complex puzzle? Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. 79, 412 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-022-04380-5. (JIF=8.46)
  • Kavyani B, Ahn SB, Missailidis D, Annesley SJ, Fisher PR, Schloeffel R, Guillemin GJ, Lovejoy DB, Heng B. (2023) Dysregulation of the Kynurenine Pathway, Cytokine Expression Pattern, and Proteomics Profile Link to Symptomology in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Mol Neurobiol. 2023 Nov 28. doi: 10.1007/s12035-023-03784-z. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38015302
  • Ding, S., Sanislav, O., Missailidis, D., Allan, C.Y., Owyong, T.C., Wu, M.-Y., Chen, S., Fisher, P.R., Annesley, S.J. and Hong, Y. (2024), A Novel Fluorogenic Probe Reveals Lipid Droplet Dynamics in ME/CFS Fibroblasts. Adv. Sensor Res. 2300178. https://doi.org/10.1002/adsr.202300178
  • Missailidis D, Ebrahimie E, Mohammadi-Dehcheshmeh M, Allan C, Sanislav O, Fisher PR, Gras S, Annesley SJ (2024). A blood-based mRNA signature distinguishes people with Long COVID from recovered individuals. Frontiers in Immunology, 2024 Dec 3;15:1450853.

Associate Professor
Danielle
Hitch

  • Associate Professor, Faculty of Health/School of Health and Social Development/Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University
  • Occupational therapist researcher who leads research related to Long COVID, occupational therapy, health systems, consumer engagement and clinical education.
Declaration
  • MRFF Grant
  • Women’s Health Research, Translation and Impact Network Mid-Career Fellowship
  • Author of several academic and other papers about Long COVID
  • Delivered several speeches / lectures about Long COVID
  • Provided testimony to the Federal Government ‘Sick and Tired’ Inquiry
  • Editor of upcoming textbook Rehabilitation and Management of Long COVID: Handbook for Clinical Practice and Other Caregivers of People with Long COVID
  • Member of Victorian Post Acute COVID Syndrome (PACS) study group
  • Scientific committee member for the Victorian Long COVID conference in 2023 and upcoming conference in 2025.
     

Associate Professor
Matthew
Jones
(appointed until 31 May 2027)

  • School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW
  • Accredited exercise physiologist with clinical, research and teaching expertise in the role of exercise in chronic pain and chronic fatigue management.
Declaration
  • MRFF grant: SAGE – Scalable Allied health and General practitioner rEsponses to Long-COVID in primary care, 2025–2029.
  • Worked as clinician (exercise physiologist) at UNSW Fatigue Clinic, 2017-2019. Currently collaborates with their research program.
Publications
  • Jones, M. D., Casson, S. M., Barry, B. K., Li, S. H., Valenzuela, T., Cassar, J., Lamanna, C., Lloyd, A. R., & Sandler, C. X. (2023). "eLearning improves allied health professionals’ knowledge and confidence to manage medically unexplained chronic fatigue states: A randomized controlled trial." J Psychosom Res, 173, 111462. Q1
  • Casson, S., M. D. Jones, J. Cassar, N. Kwai, A. R. Lloyd, B. K. Barry and C. X. Sandler (2022). "The effectiveness of activity pacing interventions for people with chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis." Disabil Rehabil: 1-15. Q1

Associate Professor
Sarah
Knight

  • Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne
  • Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (2010–present)
  • Clinical neuropsychologist, researcher and educator
  • Current research focuses on co-developing innovative, interdisciplinary rehabilitation approaches and pathways for children with neuro disability
  • Strong commitment to partnering with young people, families, and clinicians in research.
Declaration

Grants received:

  • 2020–2025 National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) | Exploring the role of nitrogen metabolism, energy metabolism and mitochondrial function in the pathophysiological mechanisms of paediatric ME/CFS | CID $784,064
  • 2019–2023 The Judith Jane Mason & Harold Stannet Williams Memorial Foundation, National Medical Program | Biobanks, Big Data and ME/CFS: establishing a global registry and biobank in Australia to drive discovery of blood biomarkers | Collaborating investigator $1,030,000.

Relevant publications:

  • Byrne, H., Josev, E. K., Knight, S. J., Scheinberg, A., Rowe, K., Lubitz, L., & Seal, M. L. (2023). Hypothalamus volumes in adolescent Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): impact of self-reported fatigue and illness duration. Brain Struct Funct, 228(7), 1741-1754. hcps://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-023-02682-3
  • Byrne, H., Knight, S. J., Josev, E. K., Scheinberg, A., Beare, R., Yang, J. Y. M., Oldham, S., Rowe, K., & Seal, M. L. (2024). Hypothalamus Connectivity in Adolescent Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. J Neurosci Res, 102(10), e25392. hcps://doi.org/10.1002/jnr.25392
  • Crichton, A., Knight, S., Oakley, E., Babl, F. E., & Anderson, V. (2015). Fatigue in child chronic health conditions: a systematic review of assessment instruments. Pediatrics, 135(4), e1015-1031. hcps://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2014-2440
  • Josev, E. K., Chen, J., Seal, M., Scheinberg, A., Cole, R. C., Rowe, K., Lubitz, L., & Knight, S. J. (2023). What lies beneath: White macer microstructure in pediatric myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome using diffusion MRI. J Neurosci Res, 101(10), 1572-1585. hcps://doi.org/10.1002/jnr.25223
  • Josev, E. K., Cole, R. C., Scheinberg, A., Rowe, K., Lubitz, L., & Knight, S. J. (2021). Health, Wellbeing, and Prognosis of Australian Adolescents with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): A Case-Controlled Follow-Up Study. J Clin Med, 10(16). hcps://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10163603
  • Josev, E. K., Jackson, M. L., Bei, B., Trinder, J., Harvey, A., Clarke, C., Snodgrass, K., Scheinberg, A., & Knight, S. J. (2017). Sleep Quality in Adolescents With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). J Clin Sleep Med, 13(9), 1057-1066. hcps://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.6722
  • Josev, E. K., Malpas, C. B., Seal, M. L., Scheinberg, A., Lubitz, L., Rowe, K., & Knight, S. J. (2020). Resting-state functional connectivity, cognition, and fatigue in response to cognitive exertion: a novel study in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome. Brain
  • Imaging Behav, 14(5), 1815-1830. hcps://doi.org/10.1007/s11682-019-00119-2 Knight, S., Elders, S., Rodda, J., Harvey, A., Lubitz, L., Rowe, K., Reveley, C., Hennel, S., Towns, S., Kozlowska, K., Payne, D. N., Marshall-Gradisnik, S., & Scheinberg, A. (2019)
  • Epidemiology of paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome in Australia. Arch Dis Child, 104(8), 733-738. hcps://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2018-316450
  • Knight, S., Harvey, A., Lubitz, L., Rowe, K., Reveley, C., Veit, F., Hennel, S., & Scheinberg, A. (2013). Paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome: complex presentations and protracted Bme to diagnosis. J Paediatr Child Health, 49(11), 919-924. hcps://doi.org/10.1111/jpc.12425
  • Knight, S., Harvey, A., Towns, S., Payne, D., Lubitz, L., Rowe, K., Reveley, C., Hennel, S., Hiscock, H., & Scheinberg, A. (2014). How is paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis diagnosed and managed by paediatricians? An Australian Paediatric Research Network Study. J Paediatr Child Health, 50(12), 1000-1007.  cps://doi.org/10.1111/jpc.12677
  • Knight, S. J., Harvey, A., Hennel, S., Lubitz, L., Rowe, K., Reveley, C., Dean, N., Clarke, C., & Scheinberg, A. (2015). Measuring quality of life and fatigue in adolescents with chronic faBgue syndrome: esBmates of feasibility, internal consistency and parent–adolescent agreement of the PedsQLTM. FaHgue: Biomedicine, Health & Behavior,3(4), 220-234. hcps://doi.org/10.1080/21641846.2015.1090816
  • Knight, S. J., PoliBs, J., Garnham, C., Scheinberg, A., & Tollit, M. A. (2018). School Functioning in Adolescents With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Front Pediatr, 6, 302. hcps://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2018.00302
  • Knight, S. J., Scheinberg, A., & Harvey, A. R. (2013). IntervenBons in pediatric chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: a systematic review. J Adolesc Health, 53(2), 154-165. hcps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.03.009
  • Mazzone, O., Conroy, R., Jenkin, T., Scheinberg, A., & Knight, S. (2024). The assessment and management of fatigue following paediatric acquired brain injury: rehabilitation clinicians' perspectives. Neuropsychol Rehabil, 1-30.hcps://doi.org/10.1080/09602011.2024.2383337
  • Snodgrass, K., Harvey, A., Scheinberg, A., & Knight, S. (2015). Sleep Disturbances in Pediatric Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Review of Current Research. J Clin Sleep Med, 11(7), 757-764. hcps://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.4854
  • Thomas, N., Chau, T., Tantanis, D., Huang, K., Scheinberg, A., Gooley, P. R., Josev, E. K., Knight, S. J., & Armstrong, C. W. (2024). Serial Paediatrics Omics Tracking in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (SPOT-ME): protocol paper for a multidisciplinary, observational study of clinical and biological markers of paediatric myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome in Australian adolescents aged 12-19 years. BMJ Open, 14(12), e089038. hcps://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-089038
  • Tollit, M., Politis, J., & Knight, S. (2018). Measuring School Functioning in Students With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Systematic Review. J Sch Health, 88(1), 74-89. hcps://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12580.

Development of related guidelines, standards, education materials or fact sheets:

  • AusDoc Clinical Focus Therapy Update | Commissioned by The Australian Doctor Group A GP guide to paediatric myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome hcps://www.ausdoc.com.au/therapy-update/a-gp-guide-to-paediatric-me-cfs/
  • 2024 Paediatric ME/CFS | Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences | University of Melbourne | Invited webinar speaker
  • 2020 Paediatric ME/CFS | Turner Institute, Monash University | Invited webinar speaker
  • 2019 ME/CFS International Conference | Gold Coast (Aus) | Invited Keynote speaker
  • 2017 Paediatric ME/CFS | Seminar Series | Menzies Health Institute | Gold Coast (Aus) | Invited speaker
  • 2016 CFS/ME Research Collaborative Annual Science Conference |Newcastle (UK) | Keynote speaker
  • 2014 11th International IACFS/ME Biennial Conference | San Francisco (US) | Invited speaker
  • 2013 International Symposium for ME/CFS | Gold Coast (Aus) | Keynote speaker.

Professor
Sonya
Marshall-Gradisnik

  • Director of the National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases, Griffith University
  • World leader in natural killer cell and ion channel dysfunction research to identify the pathophysiology of ME/CFS and Long COVID
  • First to report possible pharmacotherapeutic treatment for ME/CFS based on her novel discoveries, first to develop the largest and longest running ME/CFS biological and clinical database (biobank) in Australia
  • First Australian immunologist to advise international governments and first Australian researcher to report economic, quality-of-life and sociodemographic data in the largest Australian ME/CFS cohort
  • Co-authored the revised guidelines for the international case definition for ME/CFS.
Declaration
  • Received honorarium from the US government in 2024 for Chapter 5 of Long-Term Health Effects of COVID-19: Disability and Function Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection
  • Author of numerous articles and the BMJ Best Practice guide Myalgic encephalomyelitis (Chronic fatigue syndrome) - Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

Ms
Penelope
McMillan

Declaration
  • Coauthor of educational material
  • Director of ME/CFS Australia, as well as Spokesperson
  • Member of management committee for ME/CFS South Australia as well as advocacy lead.
     

Professor
Sutapa
Mukerjee

  • Professor of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University
  • Respiratory and Sleep Physician, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, SA Health
  • Sleep health researcher, including sleep apnoea diagnosis and therapy
  • Epidemiologist with expertise in large cohort studies of sleep apnoea and general population cohorts
  • Combined academic and clinical work to improve overall clinical outcomes for patients and develop multidisciplinary models of care for patients with comorbidities.
Declaration
  • MRFF grants through Flinders University including on Optimising Screening Diagnosis and Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
  • Consultancy fees received from Astra Zeneca, GSK, TEVA, Novatech for educational medical talks on respiratory and sleep medicine
  • Travel, accommodation and meals received as part of organising committee for World Sleep Society and meetings for Australasian Sleep Association.
     

Dr
Danielle
Pollock

  • Methodologist and Research Fellow, Health Evidence Synthesis Recommendations and Impact Research Unit, School of Public Health, University of Adelaide
  • Teaching experience in health and social science, including best practice approaches in evidence-based healthcare
  • Developed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) (global organisation promoting and supporting evidence-based decisions that improve health and health service delivery) Scoping Review Network
  • Involved in the JBI Scoping Review methodology group
  • Vice-chair of Guidelines International Network ANZ regional working group.
Declaration

University of Adelaide Committees:

  • JBI Scientific Committee (2020–2023)
  • JBI Higher Degree by Research Committee (2022).

Professional networks:

  • Chair, ANZ Guideline International Regional Working Group (2024–)
  • Coordinator, JBI Scoping Review Network (2020–2023)
  • Coordinator, ANZ Guideline Network (2020–)
  • Founder, Australian Stillbirth and Prevention (ASAP) group.

Methodology groups

  • Chair (2025–) Convenor (2020–2023)/ Member, JBI Scoping Review Group
  • Member, JBI Mixed Methods Methodology Group
  • Member, RIPPER
  • Member, JBI/Campbell Collaboration, NAVIGATOR Group
  • Member, Adelaide GRADE Centre
  • Member, JBI Qualitative Methodology Group.

Ms
Catharine (Cathie)
Powell

  • Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/National Project Manager, Bridges and Pathways (consumer organisation for people with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia and associated conditions)
  • Health services research in developing countries, population studies and community health services delivery
  • Advocating for people living with fibromyalgia, ME/CFS and associated conditions, and expertise in developing chronic care pathways.
Declaration
  • Board member of Bridges and Pathways Institute Incorporated and ME/CFS Australia Ltd
  • Conference posters: ME/CFS and fibromyalgia service models, levels of disability
  • Advocacy for improved medical care for patients with the physical conditions ME/CFS to state and federal policy makers
  • Development of provider and consumer educational materials
  • Advocacy: Bridges & Pathways CEO/National Programs Manager and Supervisor of National ME/CFS/FMS Call Line
  • ME/CFS Australia Ltd, Bridges & Pathways/Fibromyalgia Aust Collaboration
  • Collaborative projects with primary care service providers
  • National ME/CFS/FMS Call Line and chronic disease management education programs
  • Evaluating early diagnosis & management GP nurse led model of care.
     

Dr
Carolina
Sandler
(on leave until 31 May 2027)

  • Senior Lecturer, School of Health Sciences, UNSW
  • Accredited exercise physiologist and clinical researcher with research interests being post-infective fatigue states and cancer survivorship
  • Part of the Fatigue Research program at the Kirby Institute, UNSW.
Declaration
  • CI MRFF 2023 Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID (lead institution Uni of Melbourne)
  • Cancer Institute NSW early career fellowship (partial salary & project funds)
  • Previous clinician and current co-lead of UNSW Fatigue Clinic and Research program.

Relevant publications:

  • Jones, M. D., Casson, S. M., Barry, B. K., Li, S. H., Valenzuela, T., Cassar, J., Lamanna, C., Lloyd, A. R., & Sandler, C. X. (2023). eLearning improves allied health professionals’ knowledge and confidence to manage medically unexplained chronic fatigue states: A randomized controlled trial. J Psychosom Res, 173, 111462. Q1
  • Casson, S., M. D. Jones, J. Cassar, N. Kwai, A. R. Lloyd, B. K. Barry and C. X. Sandler (2022). "The effectiveness of activity pacing interventions for people with chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis." Disabil Rehabil: 1-15. Q1
  • Sandler, C. X., E. Cvejic, B. M. Valencia, H. Li, I. B. Hickie and A. R. Lloyd (2022). "Predictors of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Mood Disturbance After Acute Infection." Front Neurol 13: 935442. Q1
  • Sandler CX, Wyller V, Moss-Morris R, Buchwald D, Crawley E, Hautvast J, Katz B, Knoop H, Little P, Taylor R, Wensaas KA, Lloyd AR. (Long COVID and post-infective fatigue syndrome – a review. Open.Forum.Infectious.Diseases.¡.2021;8(10):ofab440. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofab440
  • Sandler CX, Lloyd AR. Chronic fatigue syndrome: progress and possibilities? (2020) The Medical Journal of Australia. (invited review) 212(9), 428–433. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.50553
  • Cvejic E., Sandler CX., Keech A, Barry BK., Lloyd AL., Vollmer-Conna, U. (2017). Autonomic nervous system function, activity patterns, and sleep after physical or cognitive challenge in people with chronic fatigue syndrome. J Psychosom Res. 103:91-94. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2017.10.010
  • McBride RL, Horsfield, SL, Cvejic, E, Casson S, Sandler CX, Cassar, J, Vollmer-Conna, U, & Lloyd, AR. (2017) Cognitive remediation training improves performance in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Psychiatry Research. 257:400-405. DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.08.035
  • Li SH., Sandler CX., Casson SM., Cassar J., Bogg T., Lloyd AR., Barry BK. (2016) A randomised controlled trial of online continuing education for health professionals to improve the management of chronic fatigue syndrome: A study protocol. BMJ Open. 7(5):e014133. DOI:10.1136/ bmjopen-2016-014133
  • Sandler CX., Hamilton BA., Horsfield S., Bennett BK., Vollmer-Conna U., Tzarimas C., Lloyd AR. (2016). Outcomes and predictors of response from an optimised, multidisciplinary intervention for chronic fatigue states. Intern Med J, 46(12): 1421–1429. DOI:10.1111/imj.13251
  • Sandler CX., Lloyd AR., Barry BK. (2016). Fatigue Exacerbation by Interval or Continuous Exercise in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Med Sci Sports Exerc 48(10): 1875-1885. DOI:10.1249/MSS.0000000000000983
  • Keech A., Sandler CX., Vollmer-Conna, U., Cvejic, E., Lloyd, AR., & Barry, BK. (2015). Capturing the post-exertional exacerbation of fatigue following physical and cognitive challenge in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. J Psychosom Res. 79(6):537-49. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2015.08.008.

Speeches/lectures:

  • Developed and delivered lecture content to UNSW undergraduate Exercise physiology students on fatigue conditions including chronic fatigue syndrome, post-cancer fatigue, post-infective fatigue (multiple years from 2012).

Dr
Michelle
Scoullar

  • Senior Research Fellow, Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health, Paediatrician, Burnet Institute
  • General paediatrics, global health, early childhood growth and development
  • Clinical management and care for children and young people with Long COVID
  • Quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods research design, implementation and analysis
  • Implementation research, translating evidence into practice and community engagement.
Declaration
  • Works at Burnet Institute and at a private clinical specialising in Long COVID (Clinic Nineteen)
  • Received 2 research grants and 2 travel awards from MRFF, Ferring Australia, Burnet Institute and RACP
  • Lead author for book chapter in Long COVID in Children and Young People (in press)
  • Involved with John Snow Project, a public health advocacy group for COVID-19.

Relevant publications:

  • 2024 Scoullar MJL, Khoury G, Majumdar SS, Tippett E, Crabb BS. Towards a cure for long COVID: the strengthening case for persistently replicating SARS-CoV-2 as a driver of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19. Med J Aust. 2024, 221:587–90. (Altmetric 3rd March 2025: 507; 99th percentile for similar age, top 5th percentile of all research outputs ever tracked by Altmetric)
  • 2025 Metcalfe J, Scoullar MJL, Whyler NCA, Balkin H, Tippett E. Beyond time as the healer: action in long COVID treatment to improve patient outcomes. Internal Med J. 2025, May early view
  • 2020 Wilson AN, Ravaldi C, Scoullar MJL, Vogel J, Szabo RA, Fisher JRW, Homer CSE. Caring for the carers: Ensuring the provision of quality maternity care during a global pandemic. Women and Birth 2020.

Media:

  • 2025 Scoullar, et al (in press). ‘Long COVID in Children and Young People.’ Rehabilitation and Management of Long COVID: A handbook for clinical practice “in press” edited by Danielle Hitch and Joanne Wrench
  • 2024 Whyler N, Atkins L, Hogg P, Leong A, Metcalfe J, Scoullar MJL, Tippett E. Harnessing the Benefits of Telehealth in Long COVID Service Provision. Public Health Reviews. 2024;45
  • 2024 Crabb BS, Khoury G, Scoullar MJL. Long COVID appears to be driven by ‘long infection’. Here’s what the science says. The Conversation 2024
  • 2023 Majumdar S, Crabb B, Pakula E, Scoullar MJL, Al-Aly Z. Could antivirals reduce your risk of long COVID? Where the research is up to on prevention and treatment. The Conversation 2023.

Quoted in the following pieces:

Dr
Marie-Claire
Seeley

  • Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Australian POTS Foundation
  • Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Adelaide and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
  • Established the only patient registry for POTS
  • Member of the Long COVID Collaboration.
Declaration
  • Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Australian POTS Foundation
  • Committee member of the South Australian Cardiovascular Research Network.
     

Associate Professor
Bernard
Shiu

  • Clinical Director of Banksia Medical Centre and Geelong Long COVID Clinic, specialising in ME/CFS and Long COVID care
  • Expert member of various official DHHS and scientific organisations, including the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Task Force.
Declaration
  • Sees patients for a variety of conditions, including Long COVID and ME/CFS
  • Runs a Long COVID clinic
  • Clinical education presenter (on behalf of Emerge Australia) at Sydney and Melbourne General Practitioner Conference and Exhibition (GPCE) in May and July 2025
  • GPCE education session support provided by Moderna and RACGP.

Ms
Jane
Southwell

  • Lived experience of recurrent CFS over the past 2 decades
  • Lawyer [LLM, BA/LLB(Hons)] with over 30 years’ experience in law, management and with corporate boards
  • Former volunteer legal member of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Research Ethics Committee  
  • Past involvement in the Department of Human Services' (Vic) development for streamlining ethical review of multi-centre human research.
     
Declaration

Nil