The ihop research team is made up of leading researchers and clinicians who all share a common goal of improving health outcomes for people via research and research translation.
Our administrative base is at Griffith University, Menzies Health Institute Queensland at Griffith University, Australia.
You can read more about our senior researchers, and research, project and student team members, in the sections below.
Senior Researchers
- Professor Sandi Hayesihop Lead, Senior Research FellowProfessor Sandi Hayes is a Senior Research Fellow within Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University. Professor Hayes uses her expertise in exercise oncology science and epidemiology to improve cancer survivorship. Prof Hayes undertakes research to better understand the concerns faced as a consequence of cancer and its treatment (with a particular interest in lymphoedema), and explores the role of healthy lifestyles (in particular, physical activity including exercise) in preventing and alleviating cancer-related burden. Prof Hayes is committed to using research findings to improve policy, workforce capacity and clinical practice, which in turn will improve the lives of those diagnosed with cancer. Sandi Hayes’s full profile and contact information are available here.
Projects
- The ECHO-R Trial
- Exercise and lymphoedema
- Exercise for health: a breast cancer recovery study
- Healthy Living after Cancer
- Pathways to health: a web-delivered physical activity program to assist women surviving breast cancer meet their activity goals
- The ECHO trial: Exercise during CHemotherapy for Ovarian cancer
- The LEGS trial (lymphoedema in gynaecological cancer study)
- The pulling through study: a follow-up (Genetic polymorphisms and risk of secondary lymphoedema after breast cancer: a nested case-control study)
Professor Monika Jandaihop Lead, Adjunct ProfessorProfessor Monika Janda is a Professor in Behavioural Science, Centre for Health Services Research, at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, and a NHMRC Translational Research Fellow (2018-20). She is a health psychologist with a research background in cancer prevention and quality of life research, with strong clinical collaborations, and a passion for consumer-centered digital interventions that make self-management of health-related issues easier and better for people. Her work focuses on applied health and clinical research problems, making a difference to cancer prevention, early detection and treatment outcomes. Her work has a particular focus on getting people to protect their skin from the sun and to become familiar with their skin which will assist in the detection of early skin cancers. She is also working on improving information and care for patients with cancer, for example by establishing those groups of patients who are at greatest risk to experience detrimental effects of cancer treatment. Monika Janda’s full profile and contact information are available here.Projects
- Healthy Living after Cancer
- Healthy Mobile Check-Ins: using mobile locative media to map opportunities for lifestyle change in survivors of endometrial cancer
- Healthy Texts
- Outdoor worker sun protection project
- Pathways to health: a web-delivered physical activity program to assist women surviving breast cancer meet their activity goals
- Skin Awareness Study
- The LEGS trial (lymphoedema in gynaecological cancer study)
- UV Spot Indicators: How to know when your sunscreen is no longer protecting you from the sun
Dr Elke Hackerihop Lead, Research FellowDr Hacker is a senior research fellow within Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, and an affiliate Scientist at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. Dr Hacker has over 10 years post-doctoral experience, with a proven track record in managing multi-disciplinary health projects to deliver evidenced-based findings. Most-recently, Dr Hacker has created a large portfolio of digital health interventions, which has involved testing emerging technologies such as wearable indicators, Apps, the Internet of Things and virtual reality platforms. Her research is focused on testing technology to prevent cancer, creating solutions to reduce the burden of this disease on our community. Elke Hacker’s full profile is available here and contact via email.Projects
- Smart handwashing station finds the dirty work
- Virtual Reality for Health Education and Wellbeing
- Can UV cameras detect enough sunscreen in your cosmetic products ?
- Study of UV radiation from Nail Polish drying machines
- Common myths on Sunburn
- UV wristbands helping adolescents to stay safe in the sun
- UV-detecting stickers warn young footballers to apply sunscreen
- UV Spot Indicators: how to know when your sunscreen is no longer protecting you from the sun
- Sun Protection Habits and the Ugly Xmas Rashie
- The Skntec Study: Could smart wearables prevent dangerous sunburn?
- Be prepared for the outdoors: SunVisor App
Researchers
- Dr Rosa SpenceResearch FellowDr Spence is an Exercise Physiologist and Research Fellow within the Menzies Health Institute Queensland (MHIQ), Griffith University. Her cancer survivorship research has a focus on understanding the role of exercise post-cancer and translating exercise into standard cancer care. Dr Spence’s clinical work concentrates on cancer survivors with complex exercise prescription needs, for example, individuals with multiple comorbidities, bone lesions, profound physical deconditioning or advanced cancer progression. Dr Spence is also currently the Senior Exercise Physiologist on the ECHO trial (Exercise during Chemotherapy for Ovarian cancer), which she provides her the perfect blend of research, teaching, and hands-on exercise prescription. Rosa’s experience is primarily with colorectal, breast and ovarian cancer survivors, which has given her an understanding of a wide range of cancer-related barriers to exercise. She was an author on the ESSA national position stand on exercise prescription during and following cancer and the “Exercise is Medicine” Fact Sheets. Dr Spence is passionate about helping cancer survivors to optimise their outcomes through exercise and her favourite part of the job is working one-on-one with cancer survivors and helping them set and meet their exercise goals. More information on publications by Rosa can be found here.Dr Carolina SandlerResearch FellowCarolina Sandler is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Lecturer at Western Sydney University and an adjunct clinical researcher within the ihop research group. Carolina currently holds a NSW Cancer Institute Early Career Fellowship. Carolina is an active member of the ihop research group where she collaborates on several cancer survivorship studies including in women with ovarian cancer, lymphedema, advanced breast cancer and brain cancer. Carolina’s program of research focuses on the role of exercise in cancer survivorship and interventions for fatigue states. Carolina’s PhD focused on intervention for chronic fatigue states (chronic fatigue syndrome, post-cancer fatigue, post-infective fatigue); whilst her Post-doctoral research has focused on the role of exercise and physical activity in brain cancer and metastatic breast cancer. She is an active member of the ihop research group where she collaborates on several cancer survivorship studies including in women with ovarian cancer, lymphedema, advanced breast cancer and brain cancer. More information on publications by Carolina can be found here.Dr Melanie PlinsingaResearch FellowDr Melanie Plinsinga is a Research Fellow at ihop within Menzies Health Institute Queensland at Griffith University, an adjunct Research Fellow at The University of Queensland, and an Associate Fellow at The Higher Education Academy. Melanie has an undergraduate degree in Human Movement Sciences, a Master of Research in Sports Sciences (The Netherlands) and graduated from The University of Queensland with a PhD (2019). Melanie is an early career researcher in the field of chronic pain, with particular interest in exercise management and rehabilitation. She is skilled in clinical research, statistics, data analysis, teaching and has strong national and international collaborative network in Australia and Europe. Melanie’s work is published in leading journals including the British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM). Within ihop, Melanie will use her expertise to address unanswered questions in cancer-related pain to improve lives through the prevention and better management of pain. More information on publications by Melanie can be found here.
Research Staff
- Nicole McDonaldResearch Program ManagerNicole McDonald is a Research Program Manager at Menzies Health Institute, Griffith University. Nicole assists with the management and delivery of research undertaken by the ihop team. Nicole also has a Master of Public Health (Health Promotion Major) and an undergraduate Bachelor of Exercise Science and Bachelor of Public Health.Melissa CreedResearch OfficerMelissa Creed is an accredited Exercise Physiologist and undertakes exercise science and research assistant roles with ihop projects. Melissa has completed a Masters of Research, implementing a walking intervention for women undergoing chemotherapy treatment for ovarian cancer.Sheree RyeResearch OfficerSheree Rye is a Senior Research Assistant at Menzies Health Institute, Griffith University. Sheree undertakes Project Management roles with ihop projects. Sheree has a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and has completed a Masters of Research exploring levels of physical activity among breast cancer survivors.Jemma TurnerJemma is a Research Assistant at Menzies Health Institute, Griffith University. Jemma undertakes research assistant roles within the ihop research group. Jemma is an Accredited Exercise Scientist and is currently completing her Master of Medical Research at Griffith University with a focus on implementing evidence-based exercise prescription via telehealth for the postpartum population.Georgia WhiteGeorgia is an Research Assistant within the ihop research group. Georgia is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist with a strong passion in the rehabilitation world of Oncology and Women's Health. Noticing a major gap in the rehabilitative space of Oncology, Georgia became passionate in providing support and care for people within these areas as well as contributing to emerging research to influence clinical practice. Georgia undertakes research assistant and Exercise Physiologist tasks for our ECHO and ECHO-R trials and also works at an Oncology and Women's Health clinic in North Brisbane. Georgia has a Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiologist and Postgraduate Certificate of Exercise Medicine Oncology.Lisa FoxLisa is a Research Assistant within the ihop research group and an Accredited Exercise Physiologist. Lisa has a Bachelor of Science & Post Graduate Diploma of Science from Auckland University and a Masters of Exercise Science from Edith Cowan University. Lisa has a special interest in oncology rehabilitation and extensive experience using clinical pilates and exercise physiology in exercise interventions.
Research Students
- Tamara JonesPhD Candidate & Research AssistantTamara Jones is a Research Fellow at ihop within Menzies Health Institute Queensland at Griffith University. Tamara has an undergraduate degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology and will be completing her PhD at Griffith University in 2021. Tamara is an early career researcher in the field of exercise oncology, with a particular interest in the role of physical activity and exercise in advanced cancer types. She has experience in clinical research, data analysis, teaching and delivering multi-disciplinary interventions. More information on publications can be found here. Within ihop, Tamara will use her experience to address unanswered questions regarding physical activity patterns, and the safety and feasibility of exercise for women undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer.Gabrielle GildeaPhD Student & Research AssistantGabrielle Gildea is a PhD candidate within the ihop research group. Gabrielle graduated with a bachelors of Clinical Exercise Physiology from QUT in 2020 and is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist as well as a member of Exercise Sports Science Australia. During her undergraduate degree, Gabrielle also completed her honours within the ihop group and was awarded first class. Her project looked at the safety, feasibility, and acceptability of an 18-week exercise intervention for people with brain cancer. Now completing a PhD, Gabrielle is comparing the barriers of exercise for those with brain, breast and ovarian cancer. Gabrielle is also a research assistant within ihop research projects.Riley DunnMasters Student & Research AssistantRiley Dunn is an MMR student within the ihop research group. Riley graduated with a Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology from QUT in 2019 and is an accredited exercise physiologist and member of Exercise and Sports Science Australia. Riley’s research investigates the way adverse event and symptom recording occurs in exercise oncology trials, including the development of safety reporting protocols in exercise oncology trials. Riley also undertakes exercise physiology and research assistant roles within iHop research projects, and is involved in undergraduate exercise physiology teaching.Jessica WaztekMasters Student & Research AssistantJessica Watzek is a Masters of Medical Research student within the iHop Research Group. Jess graduated with a Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology with Distinction from QUT in 2020 and is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Member of Exercise Sports Science Australia currently working within a Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Clinic in Coorparoo. Jess’s research currently investigates the cost-benefit relationship of exercise interventions within Breast Cancer patients. Jess also undertakes research assistance roles within the ihop projects.Hildegard Reul-HircheHildegard is a Master student within the ihop research group. She is currently enrolled in a Master of Philosophy through Griffith University, exploring the connection of upper body dysfunction and the incidence of lymphoedema. Hildegard is a physiotherapist with a long working history at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH). Her clinical expertise is the management of lymphoedema in adults as well as breast cancer rehabilitation. She has initiated lymphoedema management courses at the RBWH which she is still co-facilitating. Hildegard is a titled Lymphoedema Physiotherapist by the Australian Physiotherapist Association and an accredited Lymphoedema Practitioner with the Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA). She is a member of the ALA Assessment Committee.Natalie KrugerMasters StudentNatalie is a Masters student within the ihop research group. Natalie is currently enrolled in a Master of Philosophy through Griffith University, exploring undergraduate medical school curriculum and its impact on those with lymphoedema and lymphatic disorders. Natalie is a physiotherapist having commenced her early career as a new graduate at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) in 2009. Since this time, Natalie has worked across a variety of clinical and operational roles within Queensland Health and abroad, with clinical expertise across several specialist areas including cancer, palliative care and lymphoedema management. Natalie is titled an Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) Cancer, Palliative Care & Lymphoedema Physiotherapist, member of the APA Cancer, Palliative Care, Lymphoedema (CPCL) National Group and Chair of the CPCL Scientific Committee for the 2022 APA Conference in Brisbane. She is an accredited Australasian Lymphology Association (ALA) Lymphoedema Practitioner and member of the ALA Professional Development & Education Committee.
