Associate Professor Michelle Fenech
PhD, MSc, Grad Dip Med Ultrasound, BAppScHead of Course post graduate medical sonography
School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences
Level 8 160 Ann Street - 8.14
Michelle is a teaching scholar, researcher, accredited medical sonographer and radiographer. Michelle actively teaches in the medical sonography discipline, both at CQU and at national and international conferences. She is the chair of the Musculoskeletal Special Interest Group (MSK SIG) and member of the Education Advisory Committee (EAC) of the Australasian Sonographers Association (ASA) . She has been heavily involved in this body throughout her career and was awarded the ASA Pru Pratten lifetime achievement award and 'Sonographer of the year' award in 2022. In 2024, she was awarded the Australian and NZ "Researcher of the Year" award for the sonography discipline. Michelle is a regular invited keynote speaker for national and international conferences related to medical imaging and learning and teaching. She is Deputy Editor of the UK based 'Ultrasound' journal, associated with the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS).
Michelle is a principal fellow of the Higher Education Academy, PFHEA (Advance HE), has received numerous learning and teaching awards, and is currently completing a HERDSA (Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia) teaching fellowship. She is also a fellow of the ASA (FASA).
Michelle is actively involved in clinical research in conjunction with the Royal Brisbane and Women's hospital (RBWH) and Herston imaging research facility (HIRF).
Her discipline research interests include musculoskeletal ultrasound, imaging anatomy, clinical supervision, sonographer workforce and career framework development. She is a member of the centre for health equity in regional and remote communities (CHERRC). Michelle also has a passion for research related to learning and teaching, to enhance learning of students, and their experience when learning, including keeping students connected to each other, their teacher, program of study and university and their well being. She is an active member of CREATE (Centre for Research in Equity and Advancement of Teaching and Education) at CQU.
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
Sonographer Researcher of the Year (Australia and NZ) - 2024
Associate fellow of HERDSA: Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia.
Principal Fellow of the Higher Education academy - PFHEA (Advance HE), 2023.
Pru Pratten, Lifetime Achievement award - Australasian Sonographer's Association (ASA), 2022.
National Sonographer of the year award (ASA), 2022.
Vice-Chancellor's Award for Exemplary Practice in Learning and Teaching, CQU 2021.
Fellow of the ASA (FASA), 2020.
Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), 2020.
Associate Fellow of the ASA (AFASA), 2018.
Student voice award CQU, 2018.
Highest academic achievement award for Grad Dip Medical Ultrasound (QUT), 2000.
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 - Michelle is currently the Chair of the Musculoskeletal Special Interest Group (MSK SIG) of the ASA and a member of the Education Advisory Committee (EAC). She is a full fellow and lifetime member of the ASA.
HERDSA: Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia.
Currently Deputy Editor of the UK journal "Ultrasound" which is associated with the professional body: British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS)
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
Michelle has received grant funding to undertake research to inform the development of a sonographer career framework for Australia.
Editor
Deputy Editor of the UK based journal "Ultrasound". It is the journal for the professional body: British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS).
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
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.
