Overview
Background
Dr Nienke Zomerdijk is an Early Career Research Fellow in the First Nations Cancer and Wellbeing Research team at the University of Queensland (2023-present), with expertise in the psychosocial aspects of haematological malignancies and stem cell transplantation.
Prior to this, she was the inaugural Research Fellow in Psycho-Oncology jointly appointed between the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance (2019-2023). Nienke earned her doctorate from the University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine in 2019, carried out within the haematology departments of the Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital and Westmead Hospital in Sydney.
Nienke's diverse research portfolio in haematology spans various topics, including investigating the psychological impacts of COVID-19 on haematology patients and their healthcare professionals, exploring the psychological aspects family stem cell donation, and examining the burden of haematological malignancies specifically in First Nations Australians.
She has a strong record of collaborations with key community organisations, such as the Leukaemia Foundation, and has served as a member of the National Blood Cancer Optimal Care Pathways Working Group for two haematological cancer subtypes. Nienke is a member of the Psycho-Oncology Cooperative Research Group (PoCoG) Scientific Advisory Committee and Co-Chair of the PoCoG Early Career Special Interest Group.
As a whole, Nienke's contributions to the psycho-oncology field have received growing recognition, including numerous awards such as the International Psycho-Oncology Society Congress Award in 2021 and the Margot Prior Early Career Research Award in Clinical Science in 2022. She has published a book chapter and over 20 peer-reviewed publications, including systematic reviews. She has attracted over $1 million in grants funded by Cancer Australia, the Leukaemia Foundation, the University of Melbourne, the University of Queensland, and the Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital Foundation as a CI.
Availability
- Dr Nienke Zomerdijk is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Business, Queensland University of Technology
- Doctor of Philosophy of Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland
Research impacts
In 2022, Nienke was awarded an Early Career Research Grant from the University of Melbourne for her project, Mitigating the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on blood cancer patients and their healthcare workers. The results of this project informed the international COVID-19 Blood Cancer Coalition Impact Statement (2022), led to media invitations including the ABC Program 'Big Ideas (2021), and directly impacted Leukaemia Foundation's telehealth care delivery during COVID-19.
Currently, Nienke is co-leading a newly funded program of research in collaboration with Prof Gail Garvey. This program aims to comprehensively understand the physical and psychosocial burden of haematological cancers in First Nations Australians. The findings from this research will inform a National Roundtable discussion, where crucial research, policy, and clinical practice priorities for improving the wellbeing of First Nations Australians affected by haematological cancers will be determined. This research study represents the first national epidemiological study of haematological cancers in First Nations Australians. It addresses significant data gaps and will support the development of an informed strategy to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This new program is conducted in partnership with the Leukaemia Foundation, as well as Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff members from the University of Queensland’s First Nations Cancer and Wellbeing Research team.
Works
Search Professor Nienke Zomerdijk’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Development of psycho-oncology telehealth guidelines: a modified Delphi consensus study
Cooper, Claire, Gilchrist, Jemma, Beatty, Lisa, Kirsten, Laura, Sharpe, Louise, Zomerdijk, Nienke, Grier, Maree, Turner, Jane, Hobbs, Kim, Haydon, Helen M., Dhillon, Haryana, Kelly, Brian and Shaw, Joanne (2024). Development of psycho-oncology telehealth guidelines: a modified Delphi consensus study. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research and Practice, 6 (1) 123. doi: 10.1097/or9.0000000000000123
2024
Journal Article
Perspectives in preparedness of family caregivers of patients with cancer providing end-of-life care in the home: a narrative review of qualitative studies
Ongko, Emily, Philip, Jennifer and Zomerdijk, Nienke (2024). Perspectives in preparedness of family caregivers of patients with cancer providing end-of-life care in the home: a narrative review of qualitative studies. Palliative and Supportive Care, 22 (6), 2125-2135. doi: 10.1017/s1478951523001013
2023
Journal Article
The lived experiences of hematology healthcare providers during and beyond the COVID‐19 crisis: a qualitative study
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Jongenelis, Michelle I., Collins, Ben, Short, Camille E., Huntley, Kathryn, Smith, Andrew and Turner, Jane (2023). The lived experiences of hematology healthcare providers during and beyond the COVID‐19 crisis: a qualitative study. Psycho-Oncology, 32 (12), 1939-1947. doi: 10.1002/pon.6250
2023
Journal Article
Enabling psychologists to address the psychological consequences of cancer
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Bryant, Christina and Beatty, Lisa (2023). Enabling psychologists to address the psychological consequences of cancer. Australian Psychologist, 58 (6), 401-410. doi: 10.1080/00050067.2023.2225693
2023
Journal Article
Factors associated with changes in healthy lifestyle behaviors among hematological cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Jongenelis, Michelle I., Collins, Ben, Turner, Jane, Short, Camille E., Smith, Andrew and Huntley, Kathryn (2023). Factors associated with changes in healthy lifestyle behaviors among hematological cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 14 1081397, 1-8. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1081397
2023
Journal Article
Supporting family members requested to donate hematopoietic stem cells to a relative: development and pilot testing of a psycho-educational resource
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Turner, Jane, Gottlieb, David, Barnes, Annette, Butler, Jason P., Markey, Kate A. and Hill, Geoffrey R. (2023). Supporting family members requested to donate hematopoietic stem cells to a relative: development and pilot testing of a psycho-educational resource. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research & Practice, 5 (1), 1-7. doi: 10.1097/or9.0000000000000095
2022
Conference Publication
Development of psycho-oncology telehealth recommendations: A Delphi consensus study
Cooper, Claire, Gilchrist, Jemma, Beatty, Lisa, Kirsten, Laura, Sharpe, Louise, Zomerdijk, Nienke, Grier, Maree, Turner, Jane, Hobbs, Kim, Haydon, Helen, Dhillon, Haryana, Kelly, Brian and Shaw, Joanne (2022). Development of psycho-oncology telehealth recommendations: A Delphi consensus study. HOBOKEN: WILEY.
2022
Journal Article
Palliative care facilitates the preparedness of caregivers for thoracic cancer patients
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Panozzo, Stacey, Mileshkin, Linda, Yoong, Jaclyn, Nowak, Anna K., Stockler, Martin R. and Philip, Jennifer (2022). Palliative care facilitates the preparedness of caregivers for thoracic cancer patients. European Journal of Cancer Care, 31 (6) e13716, e13716. doi: 10.1111/ecc.13716
2022
Journal Article
Telehealth access among hematology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: a cross-sectional survey
Zomerdijk, Nienke, I Jongenelis, Michelle, Turner, Jane, Huntley, Kathryn, Smith, Andrew and Short, Camille E. (2022). Telehealth access among hematology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: a cross-sectional survey. Leukemia and Lymphoma, 63 (6), 1-4. doi: 10.1080/10428194.2021.2023743
2021
Journal Article
To be mortal is human: Professional consensus around the need for more psychology in palliative care
Sansom-Daly, Ursula M., Lobb, Elizabeth A., Evans, Holly E., Breen, Lauren J., Ugalde, Anna, Best, Megan, Zomerdijk, Nienke, Beasley, Elizabeth A., Taylor, Keryn L., Clayton, Josephine, Sharpe, Louise, Bartula, Iris and Olver, Ian (2021). To be mortal is human: Professional consensus around the need for more psychology in palliative care. BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care, 11 (4), 401-403. doi: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2021-002884
2021
Journal Article
Experiences and needs of people with haematological cancers during the COVID‐19 pandemic: a qualitative study
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Jongenelis, Michelle, Yuen, Eva, Turner, Jane, Huntley, Kathryn, Smith, Andrew, McIntosh, Megan and Short, Camille E. (2021). Experiences and needs of people with haematological cancers during the COVID‐19 pandemic: a qualitative study. Psycho-Oncology, 31 (3) pon.5819, 416-424. doi: 10.1002/pon.5819
2021
Journal Article
Prevalence and correlates of psychological distress, unmet supportive care needs, and fear of cancer recurrence among haematological cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Jongenelis, Michelle, Short, Camille E., Smith, Andrew, Turner, Jane and Huntley, Kathryn (2021). Prevalence and correlates of psychological distress, unmet supportive care needs, and fear of cancer recurrence among haematological cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Supportive Care in Cancer, 29 (12), 7755-7764. doi: 10.1007/s00520-021-06369-5
2021
Book Chapter
Psychological issues and care of cancer survivors
Zomerdijk, Nienke and Turner, Jane (2021). Psychological issues and care of cancer survivors. Survivorship Care for Cancer Patients: A Clinician’s Handbook. (pp. 345-370) edited by Stefan Rauh. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-78648-9_17
2020
Journal Article
Experiences and unmet needs of family members requested to donate haematopoietic stem cells to an ill relative: findings from a prospective multi-centre study
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Turner, Jane, Hill, Geoffrey R. and Gottlieb, David (2020). Experiences and unmet needs of family members requested to donate haematopoietic stem cells to an ill relative: findings from a prospective multi-centre study. Supportive Care in Cancer, 29 (2), 635-644. doi: 10.1007/s00520-020-05520-y
2019
Other Outputs
The psychosocial impact of haematopoietic stem cell donation on adult related donors
Zomerdijk, Nienke (2019). The psychosocial impact of haematopoietic stem cell donation on adult related donors. PhD Thesis, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2020.9
2019
Journal Article
Iodine status of non-pregnant women and availability of food vehicles for fortification with iodine in a remote community in Gulf province, Papua New Guinea
Goris, Janny M., Temple, Victor J., Sumbis, Joan, Zomerdijk, Nienke and Codling, Karen (2019). Iodine status of non-pregnant women and availability of food vehicles for fortification with iodine in a remote community in Gulf province, Papua New Guinea. PLoS One, 14 (11) e0224229, e0224229. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224229
2019
Journal Article
Adult related haematopoietic stem cell donor care: views of transplant nurses
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Turner, Jane, Hill, Geoffrey R. and Gottlieb, David (2019). Adult related haematopoietic stem cell donor care: views of transplant nurses. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 41, 56-63. doi: 10.1016/j.ejon.2019.05.012
2019
Journal Article
Adult-related haematopoietic stem cell donor experiences and the provision of information and psychosocial support: a systematic literature review
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Turner, Jane M. and Hill, Geoffrey R. (2019). Adult-related haematopoietic stem cell donor experiences and the provision of information and psychosocial support: a systematic literature review. European Journal of Cancer Care, 28 (3) e12932, 1-15. doi: 10.1111/ecc.12932
2019
Journal Article
Phase I trial of inducible caspase 9 T cells in adult stem cell transplant demonstrates massive clonotypic proliferative potential and long-term persistence of transgenic T cells
Zhang, Ping, Raju, Jyothy, Ullah, Md Ashik, Au, Raymond, Varelias, Antiopi, Gartlan, Kate H, Olver, Stuart D., Samson, Luke D., Sturgeon, Elise, Zomerdijk, Nienke, Avery, Judy, Gargett, Tessa, Brown, Michael P., Coin, Lachlan J., Ganesamoorthy, Devika, Hutchins, Cheryl, Pratt, Gary R, Kennedy, Glen A., Morton, A. James, Curley, Cameron I., Hill, Geoffrey R. and Tey, Siok-Keen (2019). Phase I trial of inducible caspase 9 T cells in adult stem cell transplant demonstrates massive clonotypic proliferative potential and long-term persistence of transgenic T cells. Clinical Cancer Research, 25 (6), 1749-1755. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-18-3069
2018
Journal Article
Iodine status of children and knowledge, attitude, practice of iodised salt use in a remote community in Kerema district, Gulf province, Papua New Guinea
Goris, Janny M., Temple, Victor J., Zomerdijk, Nienke and Codling, Karen (2018). Iodine status of children and knowledge, attitude, practice of iodised salt use in a remote community in Kerema district, Gulf province, Papua New Guinea. PLoS One, 13 (11) e0197647, e0197647. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197647
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Nienke Zomerdijk is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Nienke Zomerdijk directly for media enquiries about:
- Blood cancer
- Cancer
- COVID-19
- First Nations Australians
- Haematology
- Hematology
- Psycho-Oncology
- Stem cell transplant
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: