Sam Fien

My Networks

About Me

Dr. Samantha Fien (PhD) is a driven Early Career Researcher at CQUniversity based in Mackay. Samantha is a Senior Lecturer and Practicum Coordinator in Exercise and Sport Sciences. Samantha is passionate about her research in ageing and surf lifesaving. Samantha believes in translating research into practice with strong industry links as the National Well-Being Advisor for Surf Life Saving Australia, Chair of the Research Panel for Surf Life Saving Queensland, and NextGen Queensland Ambassador for Leading Aged Services Australia.

General

Background

Samantha completed her Bachelor of Exercise Science in 2013 as well as her PhD in 2018 at Bond University. Her PhD research topic was "Gait Performance and the Benefits of Exercise in Adults Living in Residential Aged Care” and was under the supervision of Dr. Justin Keogh, Dr. Mike Climstein, and Dr. Timothy Henwood.

Universities Studied At

Bond University (2010,2012-2018)

CQUniversity (2020-2022)

Universities Worked At

Bond University (2016-2018)

Awards

May 2017: Awarded the International Travel Exchange scholarship from the Emerging Researchers in Ageing (ERA) initiative “ERA Exchange” for eight weeks in the University College Dublin in Ireland with additional support from the Australian Research Council - Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR).

Media Citations

MEDIA

2021 Surf lifesavers to benefit from trauma help at Kinchant Dam https://www.couriermail.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=CMWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.couriermail.com.au%2Fnews%2Fqueensland%2Fmackay%2Fsamantha-fien-sarina-surf-lifesaver-throws-support-behind-kinchant-dam-veterans-and-first-responders-wellness-centre%2Fnews-story%2F6609c345904d3d6cb2524f830da35439&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=dynamic-groupa-control-noscore&V21spcbehaviour=append

2021 The Modern Superheroes: Seeing COVID's effects on healthcare workers https://healthcarechannel.co/the-modern-superheroes-seeing-covids-effects-on-healthcare-workers/

2019 GrACE and GAIT exercise programme in the residential aged care setting https://healthcarechannel.co/grace-and-gait-exercise-programme-in-the-residential-aged-care-setting/

2019 Strength Training in Aged Care - Keeping out seniors fit https://healthcarechannel.co/strength-training-in-aged-care-keeping-our-seniors-fit/

2019 Next Gen Ambassador Queensland Ambassador https://lasa.asn.au/lasa-next-gen/ambassadors/

2018 "Putting Care into Clinical Research" – The KnowBodies Podcast

Participated in a podcast that covered a variety of subjects from PhD thesis to winning an international exchange and how to create a sustainable environment within aged care.

2015 A short film clip developed from Bond University Learning and Teaching department about my research topic. I was able to describe my research and give an insight into what area I would be focusing on. This clip can be viewed on the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5GpmFc9s-I

2017 An interview for Bond University Health Science and Medicine Faculty showcasing my Bond university journey from high school to completing my PhD through the ‘Student for a Semester’ program:

https://bond.edu.au/news/48800/sam-swaps-bond’s-sandstonearchesemerald-isle.

2018 Co-convene webinar representing the Australian Association of Gerontology Student and Early Career Group in collaboration with Emerging Researchers in Ageing for the presentation of “Successfully Engaging Consumers in Research in Ageing Research”.

2018 Newspaper article in The Senior:

https://www.thesenior.com.au/story/5609135/sams-bar-belles-why-101-year-olds-shouldbe-pumping-iron/

2018 Front page article of the Gold Coast Sun newspaper:

http://readnow.isentia.com/ReadNow.aspx?2Y9gqxy211DT

RESEARCH BLOGS

2017 International Exchange, Bond University

Wrote a Tumblr post on behalf of Bond about my international exchange trip to Ireland:

http://bonduniversity.tumblr.com/post/165812544591/be-fearless-in-the-pursuit-of-whatsetsyour-soul

2017 Applied Research in Connected Health, Ireland

Wrote a blog about the experience of helping conduct and analyze data whilst on exchange:

https://www.arch.ie/blog-post/aussie-draws-the-short-straw/

Professional Experience

2018 - present Facilitator, National Leadership College, Sydney for Surf Life Saving Australia

2016 – 2018 Lab Tutor, Faculty Health Science & Medicine Bond University, Gold Coast

2015 – 2018 Exercise Scientist, The Terraces, McKenzie Aged Care Facility, Gold Coast

2014 – 2018 Cardiac Technician, The Cardiac Centre, Gold Coast

Professional Memberships

2015 - Present Australian Association of Gerontology

2015 - Present Emerging Researchers in Ageing

2000 - Present Surf Life Saving

Responsibilities

National Well-Being Advisor Surf Life Saving Australia

Chair Research Panel Surf Life Saving Queensland

NextGen Queensland Ambassador Leading Aged Services Australia

Research Supervision

Accreditation

I am currently accredited for supervision in the following:

4203 Health services and systems
4207 Sports science and exercise
4206 Public health

Current Capacity

I am currently available to supervise more research candidates

Current Supervision

Doctor of Philosophy

Assessing the effectiveness, usability, acceptability, user experience, and preliminary effectiveness of a machine learning chatbot intervention to improve physical activity in older adults

Associate Supervisor

Master of Research

What should ‘care at home until I die’ look like for older people in Australia? - An exploration of the services needed to support long-term community living.

Associate Supervisor

Doctor of Philosophy

Factors impacting on the ability of people with acquired disabilities to gain and/or sustain employment: An Australian study

Associate Supervisor

Doctor of Philosophy (Industry)

Access to end-of-life care in residential aged care facility (RACF): An exploration of why residents are transferred to emergency department for care.

Associate Supervisor

Master of Research

Analysis of effective Surf Lifesaving resuscitation in response to drownings in Queensland waterways.

Associate Supervisor

Research Interests

Health Sciences

Sports science and exercise - Sports science and exercise not elsewhere classified
Surf lifesaving

Health Sciences

Sports science and exercise - Sports science and exercise not elsewhere classified

Medical And Health Sciences

Human Movement and Sports Science - Biomechanics
Gait speed and the spatio-temporal parameters relating to gait speed

Medical And Health Sciences

Human Movement and Sports Science - Exercise Physiology
Progressive resistance training in older adults living in residential aged care and community-dwelling

Medical And Health Sciences

Public Health and Health Services - Aged Health Care
adverse events (falls, hospitalisation, wounds)