Background

I am a clinician researcher who works academically in the School of Medicine at Deakin University and clinically as a Senior Clinician Physiotherapist in Emergency Department and Urgent Care settings at Barwon Health.

My PhD investigated gluteal tendon and muscle adaptations in active populations and those with pain, including a collaborative project with the Australian Ballet. I also led a large randomised clinical trial investigating menopausal hormone therapy and exercise as interventions for postmenopausal women with greater trochanteric pain syndrome/gluteal tendinopathy, which has positively influenced clinical practice worldwide as part of my PhD.

I continue to undertake musculoskeletal research post PhD and am involved in a range of other musculoskeletal, clinical sports medicine and emergency medicine research projects.

Research Focus

My research is directly related to my area of clinical practice: musculoskeletal and emergency medicine. Prior to commencing work as an Advanced Practice Physiotherapist in the Emergency Department, I was a physiotherapist in professional sport (including Football Australia with the Australian National Women’s Teams and Melbourne Victory Women) and elite dance settings, so also have a particular interest in research in those fields.

I’m continuing to grow this body of research relating to tendinopathy and musculoskeletal medicine, including projects on joint hypermobility syndrome, osteoarthritis, subacromial pain syndrome to name a few. In addition, I am collaborating with other Barwon Health clinician researchers on emergency medicine projects.

Awards & Achievements

  • 2024, La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre Best HDR Paper Award 2023
  • 2023, Early Career Researcher Award – Clinical Sports Medicine, Sports Medicine Australia Conference
  • 2023, Sir John Eccles Tall Poppies Award, Warrnambool
  • 2022, Nancy Millis Medal, La Trobe University (PhD thesis)
  • 2021, Early Career Researcher Award – Clinical Sports Medicine, Sports Medicine Australia e-Conference
  • 2021, PEDro Award for best Randomised Controlled Trial
  • 2021, World Physiotherapy Congress Outstanding Platform Presentation Award: Asia Western Pacific region

About me...

Pets:

 

 Willie (cat)
Footy team:

 

 Melbourne Victory FC & Glasgow Rangers FC
Signature dish:

 

 Any spicy noodle-based stir fry!
Coffee order:

 

 Latte

Feature Publications

  • Cowan (McMillan) RM, Ganderton CL, Cook J, Semciw AI, Long DM and Pizzari T.  2022.  Does menopausal hormone therapy, exercise, or a combination of both, improve pain and function in post-menopausal women with greater trochanteric pain syndrome?  A 2 x 2 factorial randomized clinical trial.  The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(2), 515-525.
  • Cowan (McMillan), RM, Cook J, Semciw AI and Pizzari T. 2022. Conservative treatment update for greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS)/trochanteric bursitis/gluteal tendinopathy. Australian Doctor: Therapy Update.  Retrieved from https://www.ausdoc.com.au/therapy-update/gp-guide-lateral-hip-pain.  Published online April 2022.
  • Cowan (McMillan) RM, Semciw AI, Pizzari T, Cook J, Rixon MK, Gupta G, et al. 2020. Muscle size and quality of the gluteal muscles and tensor fasciae latae in women with greater trochanteric pain syndrome. Clinical Anatomy, 33(7).
  • McMillan, RM, Mayes, S, Cook, J, Semciw, AI, Plass, LM & Pizzari, T. 2023. Gluteal muscles are larger in ballet dancers compared to non-dancing athletes. Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, 27(3).
  • King MG, van Klij P, Hoak F, Kierkegaard-Brochner S, West TJ, Scholes MJ, Heerey JJ, Semciw AI, Ganderton CL, McMillan RM and Bruder AM.  Are women less likely to return to sport compared to men following hip arthroscopy? Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy.

How you can help

Participate in a Clinical Trial

To find out about Clinical Trials currently underway at Barwon Health, click here. To learn more about the Adrian Costa Clinical Trials Centre, click here.

Donate

Research requires ongoing investment and there are several ways to support our work. You can make a donation today and contribute to an item on our research group’s wish list, consider a bequest in your will, or establish a lasting legacy fund in your name. No matter what size, your philanthropic support will deliver an immediate impact to this important work. To donate now or for more information, please contact the Barwon Health Foundation.

Page last updated: February 16, 2026