Associate Professor Michelle Fenech
PhD, MSc, Grad Dip Med Ultrasound, BAppSc
Head of Course post graduate medical sonography
School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences
- m.fenech@cqu.edu.au
- ORCID: 0000-0003-4088-2645
- (07) 3295 1180
-
Brisbane
Level 8 160 Ann Street - 8.14
My Networks
About Me
Michelle is a teaching scholar, active researcher, and accredited medical sonographer and radiographer. She is passionate about educating sonographers and guiding other academics to enhance their teaching practice. She is currently Head of Course of medical sonography post graduate studies at CQU. Michelle is a principal fellow of the Higher Education Academy, PFHEA (AdvanceHE). She is also a fellow of HERDSA (Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia). Michelle also has industry fellowships including being a fellow of the ASA (FASA). Michelle mentors academics to achieve university learning and teaching awards and teaching fellowships and is heavily involved in the CQU/USQ collaboration called LIFT. She is an assessor for Australian awards for university teaching (AAUT). Michelle’s learning and teaching research includes investigating innovative ways of teaching anatomy, education of first-year university students, and ensuring a sense of belonging in students to combat loneliness whilst learning. She is a member of CREATE (Centre for Research in Equity and Advancement of Teaching and Education) at CQU.
Within the sonography profession, Michelle has a keen interest in musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound. She is currently the chair of the Australasian Sonographers Association (ASA) MSK Special Interest Group (SIG) and member of the ASA research SIG, and part of an arthritis imaging working group. She is currently Senior Editor of the UK based 'Ultrasound' journal, associated with the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS).
Michelle’s sonography related research interests include musculoskeletal ultrasound, including nerve, muscle, tendon, ligament, joint and vascular imaging, lymphatic imaging, sonographer models of training, and sonographer workforce and career framework development. Michelle is also involved in health equity research, and a member of the centre for health equity in regional and remote communities (CHERRC) at CQU. In 2024, she was awarded the ASA Australian and NZ "Researcher of the Year" award for the sonography discipline.
Michelle enjoys sharing knowledge and is a regular invited keynote speaker for national and international conferences related to medical imaging and learning and teaching. In 2022 Michelle was awarded the ASA Pru Pratten lifetime achievement award and 'Sonographer of the year' award.
General
Background
Universities Studied At
PhD, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), 2020.
Master of Research QUT, 2010.
Grad Diploma Medical Ultrasound (with Distinction), QUT, 2000.
Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Imaging with Distinction) QUT, 1990-1992.
Universities Worked At
Central Queensland University - 2013 - present.
Awards
2025: HERDSA fellow: Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia.
2024: ASA Sonographer Researcher of the Year (Australia and NZ)
2023: Principal Fellow of the Higher Education academy - PFHEA (Advance HE).
2022: ASA Pru Pratten, Lifetime Achievement award.
2022: ASA Sonographer of the year award.
2021: CQU Vice-Chancellor's Award for Exemplary Practice in Learning and Teaching.
2020: Fellow of the ASA (FASA).
2020: Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA).
2018: Associate Fellow of the ASA (AFASA).
2018: CQU Student voice award.
2000: Highest academic achievement award for Grad Dip Medical Ultrasound (QUT).
Highest academic achievement award, and Deans award for Academic excellence (Bachelor of Applied Science, Medical Imaging Technology (QUT) 1990-1992.
Previous teaching
Michelle has been involved in developing the articulated undergraduate and post graduate Medical Sonography (CG91), the Graduate Certificate of Clinical Ultrasound (CH86), and the Master of Medical Ultrasound (CV83 and CM53) courses. She has also transitioned the Master of Medical Ultrasound from traditional term-based learning to hyperflexible learning on CQUs Be Different platform (Launched 2023).
Michelle was involved in the inception and continuation of the ASA education committee from 2001 - 2008.
She is also involved in training Defence medical, nursing and allied health personnel in the use of point of care ultrasound (POCUS) and training of GPs and Specialists in the use of FAST, EFAST and RUSH protocols.
Professional Experience
Qualified Radiographer and Sonographer - working in the medical Imaging field as a Qualified Health Practitioner since 1992.
Qualified Sonographer - worked in Private Practice, public sector since 2000 and worked with the Department of Defence for as a Reporting Sonographer and trainer of point of care ultrasound.
Professional Memberships
Michelle has memberships with:
ASAR - Australasian Sonographers Accreditation Registry - Michelle is an Accredited Medical Sonographer (AMS)
ASA - Australasian Sonographers Association (lifetime member)
- Chair of the ASA Musculoskeletal (MSK) Special Interest Group (SIG)
- Member of ASA Research SIG
- Member of ASA arthritis imaging working group
- Reviewer for Sonography journal (ASA journal)
HERDSA: Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia.
BMUS: British Medical Ultrasound Society - Senior Editor of the UK journal "Ultrasound"
ASMIRT: Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy
Currently a peer reviewer for the ASA journal 'Sonography', 'Reflective Practice', 'Ultrasound', and 'Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences'.
Responsibilities
Head of Course Medical Sonography Post Graduate Studies at CQU.
RHD student and Grad Cert Research student supervisor.
Professional Interests
Regular invited speaker/keynote speaker at national/international radiology and ultrasound conferences.
Regular invited keynote presenter of interactive ultrasound workshops internationally.
Presenter for Radiology Across Borders (RAB).
Industry Reports
1. Fenech, M, Russo, K, Alphonse, J, Quinton, A. (2024) Report to inform the development of a sonographer career framework in Australasia: Provided for the Australasian Sonographers Association. p 1-100.
2. Fenech, M, Alphonse, J, Russo, K. (2026). Clinical training models that can be adopted for sonographer training in Australasia. Provided for the Australasian Sonographers Association p 1 - 150.
Editor
Senior Editor of the UK based journal "Ultrasound". It is the journal for the professional body: British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS).
Research Supervision
Accreditation
I am currently accredited for supervision in the following:
- 3999 Other Education
- 3202 Clinical Sciences
- 3901 Curriculum and Pedagogy
- 4207 Sports science and exercise
- 4201 Allied health and rehabilitation science
- 4203 Health services and systems
Current Capacity
Current Supervision
Research Interests
Other biomedical and clinical sciences - Other biomedical and clinical sciences not elsewhere classified
Michelle has an interest in anatomy research and imaging of anatomy
Other biomedical and clinical sciences - Other biomedical and clinical sciences not elsewhere classified
Michelle has an interest in diagnosing metastatic cancerous spread to lymph nodes of the body to inform patient management and treatment.
Curriculum and Pedagogy - Medicine, Nursing and Health Curriculum and Pedagogy
Michelle has an interest in anatomy education, and developing opportunities for peer interaction in online learning.
Education Systems - Higher Education
Allied health and rehabilitation science - Allied health and rehabilitation science not elsewhere classified
Michelle has an interest in researching musculoskeletal imaging, in particular nerves, ligaments, muscles and tendons.
