Deepa Rijal

Dr. Deepa Rijal

Bachelor of Science (Biol), Master of Science (Bot), Bachelor of Nursing (Dist), PhD
Lecturer Nursing
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences

d.rijal@cqu.edu.au

(07) 3295 1181
0413399890 Alternative Phone

Brisbane
160 Ann Street - 20.12
CQIRP

About Me

I am passionate about teaching and nursing. I am a life long learner and strive for learning new skills and reinforcing existing knowledge continuously. I joined School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences since May 2022 and am working as a lecturer based in Brisbane Campus. Prior to this, I was working as a lecturer/Tutor (casual) in the School of Medical and Applied Sciences for almost 10 years teaching "Physics for Health Sciences". In addition to teaching, I have approximately 16 years of Nursing experience in various Private and Public Hospitals in New South Wales and Queensland in rural, regional and metropolitan areas, especially in mental health, medical-surgical, general medicine and aged care. In the past 4 years, I have been working as a registered nurse in mental health department in private and public hospitals in Queensland. Having completed two of my educational qualification- Bachelor of Nursing and PhD from CQUniversity. I believe that I can be a good advocate for students in their learning journey.

My PhD was titled "Bioethanol production potential of Agave tequilana F.A.C. Weber" In this research, eleven different species of Agave, including Agave tequilana, better known for "Tequila" production were evaluated as a feedstock for bioethanol production. A near infrared spectroscopic technique was identified to guide harvest timing and processing and fermentation conditions were optimised. An ethanol yield equivalent to 3447L/ha/year was achieved. Agave is a potential new crop suited to marginal agricultural land. With successful career in academia and nursing as well as successful completion of a diverse PhD research requiring knowledge in various areas of science such as near infrared spectroscopy, biochemistry, microbiology and plant physiology, I am interested and capable to guide undergraduate and post graduate students in the relevant disciplines.

General

Background

I migrated to Australia with my family 21 years ago in 2002. Prior to migration, I was working as an associate lecturer in Life Sciences Department teaching post graduate course. in Australia, I continued with broadening my knowledge and skills by obtaining further educational qualifications in nursing as well as continued in teaching and research in the school of medical and applied sciences. With my educational qualification and interests in different disciplines of sciences and health, I am keen and interested to be involved in research in the relevant fields.

Universities Studied At

Bachelor of Nursing with Distinction, 2018; Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Australia; Current registration with AHPRA as Division 1 Registered Nurse.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), 2017; School of Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Australia
Certificate IV in Nursing, 2006; Wetherill Park TAFE, NSW, Australia
Master of Science (Botany), 1998; Tribhuwan University, Nepal
Bachelor of Science (Biology), 1993; Tribhuwan University, Nepal

Universities Worked At

Central Queensland University, Australia : School of Nursing Midwifery and Social Sciences : Lecturer - February 2023 to date

Central Queensland University, Australia : School of Nursing Midwifery and Social Sciences: Associate Lecturer- May 2022- January 2023

Central Queensland University, Australia: School of Medical and Applied Sciences: Casual Academic(Lecturer/Tutor) - July 2013 - May 2022

Purwanchal University, Nepal : Life Sciences Department: Assistant Lecturer: April 2002 - October 2002

Awards

University Postgraduate Research Award (UPRA)

March 2010 to March 2013. Award whilst undertaking research higher degree at CQUniversity, Rockhampton, Australia.

Best poster Award

Rijal, D, Vancov T, Ashwath, N, McIntosh, S, Stanley, G and Subedi, P, 2012 “Pre- treatment and enzyme saccharification of Agave tequilana leaves for bioethanol production”. Bioenergy Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Nov 26-28.

First Prize ‘3-minute Thesis’ Competition

RHD Symposium, School of Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, February 25-26, 2016, Rockhampton.

Media Citations

Please see "Links section" for media coverage related to research.

Previous teaching

Physics for Health Sciences (MEDI11002) : July 2013 - May 2022 : Casual Academic ( Lecturer/Tutor, Unit coordinator), School of Medical and Applied Sciences: Central Queensland University, Australia.
Aviation Physics (AVAT11005) : June 2018 – July 2019: Casual Academic (Lecturer and Lead unit coordinator), School of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University, Australia.
Professional Experience Placement 1 (NURS11170) : May 2022-January 2023: Associate Lecturer, Unit coordinator, School of Nursing Midwifery and Social Sciences, Central Queensland University, Australia.
professional Experience Placement 2: (NURS12161): February 2023 -date: Lecturer, School of Nursing Midwifery and Social Sciences, Central Queensland University, Australia.

Professional Experience

Registered Nurse:

October 2020- date (Contract/ Causal ): The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane: Acute Mental Health Wards

August 2019 to July 2020: (Part-time): The Cairns Clinic, Cairns- Mental Health:

Endorsed Enrolled Nurse (Casual/contract)

May 2016 – July 2019: Cairns Hospital, Cairns.

May 2014-September 2015: North Rockhampton Nursing Centre, Rockhampton.

January 2013 - January 2014: Mercy Health and Aged Care, Rockhampton.

April 2007 - September 2009: Barcaldine Hospital, Barcaldine.

December 2006 - February 2007: Dubbo Base Hospital, Dubbo, NSW.

Professional Memberships

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) : Registered since 2006

Professional Interests

Teaching, Clinical Nursing, Research

Key Achievements

Involved in teaching team of Physics for Health Sciences with good student satisfaction rate -2013-2022.
Successful completion of Aviation Physics with good student satisfaction : Was responsible for developing and delivering the unit independently: Term 2- 2018.
First Prize 3 minute Thesis competition - Research Higher Degree Symposium, 2016, CQUniversity - $2500.0 awarded towards publication: Journal accepted and published in 2017.
Best Poster Award: Bioenergy Conference, 2012 - Included a cash prize of $500.

Computer Software

Genstat - Statistical software
Unscrambler- CAMO software used for multivariate data analysis
SigmaPlot: Scientific graphing and data analysis
All other software required for teaching eg. -Microsoft office 365, echo360, Zoom etc.

Research Supervision