Christopher Maher

Physiotherapy, Exercise Science, Musculoskeletal Health, Low Back Pain

Professor Christopher G. Maher is an NHMRC Leadership Fellow and Professor at the University of Sydney. He is also the Founding Director of the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, where he leads a multidisciplinary team of more than 100 researchers and postgraduate students. He holds degrees in Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, in addition to a PhD and a Doctor of Medical Science (DMedSc). He is a Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapy, the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, and the Royal Society of New South Wales. Professor Maher is internationally recognized for his pioneering research on low back pain. His work has transformed clinical practice worldwide and informed evidence-based guidelines in more than 20 countries. His landmark studies on paracetamol, opioids, pregabalin, and codeine have influenced healthcare policies and medication regulations internationally. He has authored more than 1,000 peer-reviewed publications, with an H-index of 149, and has secured over AUD 112 million in competitive research funding. In 2024, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to physiotherapy as a researcher, clinician, and mentor, particularly in the field of pain management.