Mr Francis Nona is a descendant of the Dhoebow clan of Saibai Island and has strong ties to Badu Island in the Torres Straits. He is a lecturer and researcher at Queensland University of Technology, Carumba Institute.
His work is informed by a strong cultural upbringing, balanced with a career as a Registered Nurse and Director of an Indigenous community-controlled health service. He has his nursing degree, Master of Public Health and is now enrolled in his PhD with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Queensland. He brings to academia a strong understanding of cultural engagement and protocol from his Country, an understanding of the health system as it applies to First Nations and other Australians. His non-traditional academic path links strong outputs for community engagement and an emerging academic track record, particularly regarding climate change impacts on health in the Torres Straits in terms of food security and infectious diseases.