Overview
Background
Dr Cassandra Pattinson has strong research interests in exploring the effects of sleep and circadian rhythms on health, wellbeing, and recovery across the lifespan. Dr Pattinson completed her PhD through Queensland University of Technology, Faculty of Health in 2017. Her thesis explored the effects of sleep and light exposure on child health, specifically childhood obesity, in preschool children, aged 3 to 5 years. Prior to joining UQ's Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR), Dr Pattinson worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, USA. In this role Dr Pattinson examined the effect of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on health, including the effects of TBI on protein and gene expression, as well as exploring the role of sleep on TBI-related symptom perturbation, maintenance, and recovery.
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, heart rate variability) 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.
Dr Pattinson also prioritises research mentorship and leadership. When mentoring, she aims to create an engaging learning environment which promotes critical analysis and reflection. She has co-supervised, two PhD students (NIH). eight Masters of Developmental and Education Psychology Students (QUT), and four NIH Postbaccalaureate students (equivalent of honours) to completion. She currently supervisors two honours of Psychology students, one honours of Biomedical Science student and one PhD candidate.
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
2013
Conference Publication
Examining the responsiveness of current sleep practices in early childhood education and care settings to children’s social, emotional and physical needs
Staton, S., Pattinson, C., Smith, S. and Thorpe, K. (2013). Examining the responsiveness of current sleep practices in early childhood education and care settings to children’s social, emotional and physical needs . Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth Conference: Infant & Early Childhood Social & Emotional Wellbeing Conference, Canberra, Australia, October 2013.
2013
Conference Publication
Parental preferences towards daytime sleep for preschool aged children in early childhood education and care settings
Sinclair, D., Staton, S., Smith, S., Pattinson, C. and Thorpe, K. (2013). Parental preferences towards daytime sleep for preschool aged children in early childhood education and care settings. Sleep DownUnder 2013, River of Dreams, 25th ASM of Australasian Sleep Association and Australasian Sleep Technologists Association, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 17–19 October 2013. London, United Kingdom: Springer. doi: 10.1111/sbr.12028
2013
Conference Publication
Sleep policy, sleep practice and child sleep behaviours in early childhood settings: An observational study of 3-5 year olds
Pattinson, C., Staton, S., Smith, S. and Thorpe, K. (2013). Sleep policy, sleep practice and child sleep behaviours in early childhood settings: An observational study of 3-5 year olds. Society for Research in Child Development, Seattle, WA, United States, April 2013.
2013
Conference Publication
Sleep practices and healthy sleep environments in childcare settings
Marriott, A., Staton, S., Pattinson, C., Smith, S. and Thorpe, K. (2013). Sleep practices and healthy sleep environments in childcare settings. Sleep Down-under, Australasian Sleep Association, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, October 2013.
2013
Conference Publication
The effects of child-centred versus compulsory sleep practices in childcare: a salivary cortisol study
Staton, S., Pattinson, C., Smith, S. and Thorpe, K. (2013). The effects of child-centred versus compulsory sleep practices in childcare: a salivary cortisol study. 16th European Conference on Developmental Psychology, Lausanne, Switzerland, 3-7 September 2013.
2013
Conference Publication
Napping in preschoolers: staff beliefs and experiences in early childhood centres
Inglis, J., Staton, S., Smith, S., Pattinson, C. and Thorpe, K. (2013). Napping in preschoolers: staff beliefs and experiences in early childhood centres. Sleep DownUnder 2013, River of Dreams, 25th ASM of Australasian Sleep Association and Australasian Sleep Technologists Association, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 17–19 October 2013. London, United Kingdom: Springer.
2013
Conference Publication
Carers beliefs about the value of sleep time in childcare settings
Inglis, J., Staton, S., Pattinson, C., Smith, S. and Thorpe, K. (2013). Carers beliefs about the value of sleep time in childcare settings. Sleep Down-under, Australasian Sleep Association, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, October 2013.
2013
Conference Publication
Observing emotional climate of sleep time in early childhood education and care settings: application of the CLASS
Pattinson, C., Staton, S., Smith, S. and Thorpe, K. (2013). Observing emotional climate of sleep time in early childhood education and care settings: application of the CLASS. The Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD), Seattle, WA United States, 2013.
2013
Conference Publication
The child’s perspective of sleep time in full-day child care centres
Northard, M., Staton, S., Pattinson, C., Smith, S. and Thorpe, K. (2013). The child’s perspective of sleep time in full-day child care centres. Sleep DownUnder 2013, River of Dreams, 25th ASM of Australasian Sleep Association and Australasian Sleep Technologists Association, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 17–19 October 2013. London, United Kingdom: Springer. doi: 10.1111/sbr.12028
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Cassandra Pattinson is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
-
Climate anxiety and sleep disturbance
Climate change can have a negative impact on mental health, wellbeing, and potentially even sleep. Direct exposures to climate change, such as experiencing a bush fire or hurricane, can result in increased levels of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. Climate change can also impact mental health through indirect exposures such as observing or thinking about climate change. Climate anxiety refers to the feelings of anxiety, distress, or loss one may experience when thinking about or perceiving climate change. It is important to understand how emotional responses to climate change, such as climate anxiety, relate to mental health and sleep. In particular, there is a need to understand the risk and protective factors that may position an individual as being more vulnerable or resilient to experiencing mental health conditions in response to climate anxiety. The role of sleep health in the relationship between climate anxiety and mental health is under explored. This research will explore the role of sleep health in mediating the impact of climate anxiety on mental health. This PhD will be supervised by Dr Anne Cleary and Dr Cassandra Pattinson, Institute for Social Science Research.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Sleep, plasticity, and non-invasive brain stimulation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sonia Brownsett, Associate Professor Martin Sale
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Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Heart Rate Variability in Fatigue Assessment: A Multimodal Approach
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dwayne Mann, Professor Simon Smith
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Doctor Philosophy
Improving sleep health in young adults
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kalina Rossa, Professor Simon Smith
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Cassandra Pattinson directly for media enquiries about:
- Circadian Rhythms
- Light Exposure
- Obesity
- Sleep
- Traumatic Brain Injury
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