Overview
Background
Dr Cassandra Pattinson research centres around exploring the effects of sleep and circadian rhythms on health, wellbeing, and recovery across the lifespan. Dr Pattinson is a Senior Research Fellow at the Child Health Research Centre (CHRC), an ARC Discovery Early Career Award (DECRA) Fellow, and a Senior Research Fellow as part of the the ARC centre of Excellence for the Digital Child. Her work has been supported by the ARC, NHMRC, NIH and the DSTG, as well as the Australian Federal Government and Queensland Government.
Her research has involved a range of populations from children and adolescents, through to military personnel and athletes. Dr Pattinson's research spans a range of study designs and methodologies, including longitudinal studies tracking large child cohorts (>2000 children), standard observation techniques, survey and individualised standard child assessment, as well as studies employing physiological (actigraphy, spectrometry) and biological (hormones, proteomic, genomic) designs. Dr Pattinson also has a strong track record in research translation, these have included manuscripts in top scientific journals, reports for government and non-government organisations, development of professional development programs, as well as designing and presenting vodcasts and resources (e.g. fact sheets, workshops) to parent groups, young adults, government departments and the early childhood sector.
At CHRC Dr Pattinson is a part of the Community Sleep Health Group. This group collaborates with many other groups around broader issues of sleep and technology, sleep and the environment (including disasters), mental health and wellbeing, pain, disability, and new technologies and approaches.
Availability
- Dr Cassandra Pattinson is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Queensland University of Technology
Works
Search Professor Cassandra Pattinson’s works on UQ eSpace
2020
Conference Publication
Examining the Role of Serum and Exosomal Biomarkers in Symptoms of Fatigue and Daytime Sleepiness Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Leete, J. J., Pattinson, C. L., Guedes, V. A., Lai, C., Devoto, C., van der Merwe, A., Lippa, S., Shahim, P., Moore, B. E., Chan, L. and Gill, J. (2020). Examining the Role of Serum and Exosomal Biomarkers in Symptoms of Fatigue and Daytime Sleepiness Following Traumatic Brain Injury. 34th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, Philadelphia, PA United States, 13 - 17 June 2020. Cary, NC United States: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsaa056.1113
2020
Journal Article
Elevated tau in military personnel relates to chronic symptoms following traumatic brain injury
Pattinson, Cassandra L., Shahim, Pashtun, Taylor, Patricia, Dunbar, Kerri, Guedes, Vivian A., Motamedi, Vida, Lai, Chen, Devoto, Christina, Peyer, Jordan, Roy, Michael J. and Gill, Jessica M. (2020). Elevated tau in military personnel relates to chronic symptoms following traumatic brain injury. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 35 (1), 66-73. doi: 10.1097/htr.0000000000000485
2020
Conference Publication
PTSD with concurrent excessive daytime sleepiness alters gene expression in military personnel and veterans; an RNA-sequencing study
Pattinson, C. L., Edwards, K., Guedes, V. A., Mithani, S., Yun, S., Taylor, P., Dunbar, K., Lai, C., Roy, M. J. and Gill, J. M. (2020). PTSD with concurrent excessive daytime sleepiness alters gene expression in military personnel and veterans; an RNA-sequencing study. 34th Annual Meeting of the Associated-Professional-Sleep-Societies (SLEEP), Philadelphia, PA, United States, 13-17 June 2020. Westchester, IL, United States: Associated Professional Sleep Societies. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsaa056.023
2019
Journal Article
Observed compliance with safe sleeping guidelines in licensed childcare services
Staton, Sally, Pattinson, Cassandra, Smith, Simon, Pease, Anna, Blair, Peter, Young, Jeanine, Irvine, Susan and Thorpe, Karen (2019). Observed compliance with safe sleeping guidelines in licensed childcare services. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 104 (12), 1193-1197. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2019-317000
2019
Conference Publication
“Did my child sleep today?”: communication between parents and educators in childcare settings
Oakes, C., Staton, S., Houen, S., Cooke, E., Pattinson, C., Teo, S.-L. and Thorpe, K. (2019). “Did my child sleep today?”: communication between parents and educators in childcare settings. 15th World Sleep Congress, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 20-25 September 2019. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2019.11.1070
2019
Journal Article
“Did my child sleep today?”: communication between parents and educators in early childhood education and care settings
Oakes, Candice, Staton, Sally, Houen, Sandra, Cooke, Emma, Pattinson, Cassandra, Teo, Sue-Lynn and Thorpe, Karen (2019). “Did my child sleep today?”: communication between parents and educators in early childhood education and care settings. Child & Youth Care Forum, 49 (2), 265-283. doi: 10.1007/s10566-019-09527-3
2019
Journal Article
Mild traumatic brain injuries with loss of consciousness are associated with increased inflammation and pain in military personnel
Kanefsky, Rebekah, Motamedi, Vida, Mithani, Sara, Mysliwiec, Vincent, Gill, Jessica M. and Pattinson, Cassandra L. (2019). Mild traumatic brain injuries with loss of consciousness are associated with increased inflammation and pain in military personnel. Psychiatry Research, 279, 34-39. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.07.001
2019
Conference Publication
GLIAL FIBRILLARY ACIDIC PROTEIN LEVELS RELATE TO CHANGES IN NEUROIMAGING FINDINGS AFTER MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
De Alvarenga, Vivian, Peyer, Jordan, Pattinson, Cassandra, Moore, Candace, Edwards, Katie, Turtzo, Christine, DeVoto, Christina, Lai, Chen, Zhang, Xuemin, Latour, Lawrence and Gill, Jessica (2019). GLIAL FIBRILLARY ACIDIC PROTEIN LEVELS RELATE TO CHANGES IN NEUROIMAGING FINDINGS AFTER MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY. 37th Annual National Neurotrauma Symposium, Pittsburgh Pa, Jun 29-Jul 03, 2019. THOUSAND OAKS: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC. doi: 10.1089/neu.2018.6143
2019
Journal Article
Correlates of naptime behaviors in preschool aged children
Smith, Simon S., Edmed, Shannon L., Staton, Sally L., Pattinson, Cassandra L. and Thorpe, Karen J. (2019). Correlates of naptime behaviors in preschool aged children. Nature and Science of Sleep, 11, 27-34. doi: 10.2147/nss.s193115
2018
Journal Article
Risk of dementia after TBI - a cause of growing concern
Pattinson, Cassandra L. and Gill, Jessica M. (2018). Risk of dementia after TBI - a cause of growing concern. Nature Reviews. Neurology, 14 (9), 511-512. doi: 10.1038/s41582-018-0041-8
2018
Conference Publication
Restful or stressful? Children's diurnal cortisol patterns associated with nap time practices in preschool
Thorpe, K., Pattinson, C., Smith, S. and Staton, S. (2018). Restful or stressful? Children's diurnal cortisol patterns associated with nap time practices in preschool. American Education Research Association 2018 Annual Meeting, New York, United States, 13 - 17 April 2018.
2018
Journal Article
Investigating the association between sleep parameters and the weight status of children: night sleep duration matters
Pattinson, Cassandra L., Smith, Simon S., Staton, Sally L., Trost, Stewart G. and Thorpe, Karen J. (2018). Investigating the association between sleep parameters and the weight status of children: night sleep duration matters. Sleep Health, 4 (2), 147-153. doi: 10.1016/j.sleh.2017.12.009
2018
Journal Article
Insider perspectives: the ‘tricky business’ of providing for children’s sleep and rest needs in the context of early childhood education and care
Thorpe, Karen, Irvine, Susan, Pattinson, Cassandra and Staton, Sally (2018). Insider perspectives: the ‘tricky business’ of providing for children’s sleep and rest needs in the context of early childhood education and care. Early Years, 40 (2), 1-16. doi: 10.1080/09575146.2018.1443434
2018
Conference Publication
Observed non-compliance with safe sleeping guidelines in licensed home- and centre-based childcare services
Staton, S., Pease, A., Smith, S., Pattinson, C., Blair, P., Young, J., Irvine, S. and Thorpe, K. (2018). Observed non-compliance with safe sleeping guidelines in licensed home- and centre-based childcare services. 30th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) of Australasian Sleep Association and the Australasian Sleep Technologists Association (Sleep DownUnder), Brisbane, Australia, 17-20 October, 2018. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/jsr.37_12765
2018
Conference Publication
Implementation of a professional development program to improve sleep health within the childcare sector
Staton, S., Smith, S., Irvine, S., Pattinson, C. and Thorpe, K. (2018). Implementation of a professional development program to improve sleep health within the childcare sector. 30th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) of Australasian Sleep Association and the Australasian Sleep Technologists Association (Sleep DownUnder), Brisbane, Australia, 17-20 October, 2018. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/jsr.30_12765
2018
Other Outputs
Summary report for the sleep learning for early education professionals project
Staton, S., Thorpe, K., Pattinson, C., Smith, S. and Irvine, S. (2018). Summary report for the sleep learning for early education professionals project. Brisbane, Queensland: Department of Education, Queensland Government.
2017
Journal Article
Mandatory nap times and group napping patterns in child care: an observational study
Staton, Sally L., Smith, Simon S., Hurst, Cameron, Pattinson, Cassandra L. and Thorpe, Karen J. (2017). Mandatory nap times and group napping patterns in child care: an observational study. Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 15 (2), 129-143. doi: 10.1080/15402002.2015.1120199
2017
Conference Publication
It Takes Three to Tango: Connecting Policy, Practice and Research to improve Sleep, Rest and Relaxation in Early Childhood Education and Care
Staton, S., Irvine, S., Pattinson, C. and Thorpe, K. (2017). It Takes Three to Tango: Connecting Policy, Practice and Research to improve Sleep, Rest and Relaxation in Early Childhood Education and Care. Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) Conference, Canberra, Australia, 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Severe sleep restriction in expedition adventure race competitors
St Pierre, L., Allan, A., Staton, S., Pattinson, C., Thorpe, K. and Smith, S. (2017). Severe sleep restriction in expedition adventure race competitors. Joint Congress of World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) & World Sleep Federation (WSF), Prague, Czech Republic, 7-11 October 2017. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2017.11.023
2017
Conference Publication
Sleep Learning for Early Education Professionals
Staton, S., Smith, S., Irvine, S., Pattinson, C. and Thorpe, K. (2017). Sleep Learning for Early Education Professionals. Queensland Government Department of Education and Training Research Forum, Brisbane, 2017.
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Cassandra Pattinson is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Available projects
-
Understanding Light, Technology, and Sleep across Childhood
These projects will examine light, digital technology, sleep and other important outcomes in children.
-
Sleep Across the Lifespan
These projects will examine sleep, light across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, young adults, and beyond. Variables of interest include mental health, sleep, light, digital technology, road safety.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Master Philosophy
The impact of digital technology use on sleep and wellbeing in young children
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Simon Smith
Completed supervision
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Heart Rate Variability in Fatigue Assessment: A Multimodal Approach
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dwayne Mann, Dr Shamsi Shekari Soleimanloo, Professor Simon Smith
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Improving sleep health in young adults
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kalina Rossa, Dr Shamsi Shekari Soleimanloo, Professor Simon Smith
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Sleep, plasticity, and non-invasive brain stimulation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nicholas Bland, Associate Professor Martin Sale
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Cassandra Pattinson directly for media enquiries about:
- Circadian Rhythms
- Light Exposure
- Obesity
- Sleep
- Traumatic Brain Injury
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