Susan Coulson

Dr Susan Coulson is a Senior Lecturer in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Prior to joining the University of Sydney, she worked in the area of rehabilitation following facial nerve disorders for 20 years. Susan's research and clinical work has focussed on improving facial movement dysfunction to attenuate the profound impact that facial disorders can have on the social, emotional and physical function of the patient. Susan is a founding member of the Sydney Facial Nerve Service, a group of research active clinicians and academics whose aim is to maximise best practice management following facial nerve disorders such as those sustained following head and neck cancer, Bell’s palsy and developmental causes. Susan is conducting studies to investigate treatments specifically designed to improve control and quality of the smile after long-term facial nerve injury, and neuroplasticity following acute injury. Currently working as a teaching / research academic in the Discipline of Physiotherapy, Susan has been associated with the University of Sydney since the 1980’s when she completed her undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy. Whilst working as a clinical physiotherapist in the 1990's she completed a research Master’s Degree in Exercise & Sports Science using motion analysis system to quantify the displacement of facial movements. She has subsequently conducted further research into facial nerve rehabilitation and has completed a PhD in Physiotherapy supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award.