Loyla Leysley is a traditional Torres Strait Islander woman from the Western Island region with ancestorial heritage reaching from Ngaripai (Horn) Island, Badu (Mulgrave) Island, Wiaben (Thursday) Island and Kubin (Moa) Island. Moving to Darwin in the 1990’s, Loyla began her journey with Menzies School of Health Research nearly 30 years ago as a receptionist.

Since that time, she has completed a Bachelor of Indigenous Health Studies and worked on research projects across almost all parts of the body, including a Heart and Health Study, Rheumatic Heart Disease, Healthy Skin Study, DRUID Diabetes Study and more. Loyla has lectured at Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education and is passionate about supporting and mentoring the next generation of Indigenous Health professionals. She has now returned to Cairns where she continues her work with Menzies as part of the Diabetes Across the Lifecourse Partnership.