Overview
Background
Dr Nienke Zomerdijk is a Research Fellow in the Implementing Research for Equitable Access and Care in Health (IREACH) team at the Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland. Her work focuses on psycho-oncology, with expertise in the psychosocial aspects of cancer, treatment decision-making, and improving equitable cancer care. Prior to joining UQ, Nienke held a joint appointment with the University of Melbourne and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance (2019–2023), contributing to both teaching and research. She led a national study on the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on haematology patients and healthcare providers, which informed international policy statements, supported funding for online support services, and was featured in ABC’s Big Ideas. Nienke has served on national advisory groups, including the Psycho-oncology Cooperative Research Group and National Blood Cancer Optimal Care Pathways Working Groups. Her work has been recognised with multiple awards and has resulted in more than 20 peer-reviewed publications. She is currently completing a Master of Social Work, reflecting her commitment to integrating research, clinical practice, and person-centred care in cancer.
Availability
- Dr Nienke Zomerdijk is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Business, Queensland University of Technology
- Graduate Diploma in Psychology, Queensland University of Technology
- Doctor of Philosophy of Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland
Research impacts
Examples of work that directly inform clinical care and improve access to support include:
- Co-developed a treatment decision-making resource for women with early-stage endometrial cancer (with consumers), designed for use in clinical consultations to support awareness of treatment options and values-based decision-making
- Initiated and led a national COVID-19 research program funded by the University of Melbourne, in partnership with the Leukaemia Foundation; findings informed international Blood Cancer Coalition Impact Statements (2022, 2023), contributed to media dissemination (podcast ABC Big Ideas), and secured additional funding for support services
- Volunteered in the Highlands of Western Guatemala, working with a mobile health team to provide healthcare to Indigenous Maya communities
- Developed a psycho-educational resource to support family members considering stem cell donation, available online on the Leukaemia Foundation website
- Led First Nations research programs across major cancer centres in Brisbane, Darwin, Cairns and Townsville
- Secured and managed a commissioned project (Leukaemia Foundation) on blood cancer burden among First Nations Australians, informing national evidence
- Contributed to a Cancer Australia-funded project developing a culturally responsive pancreatic cancer care model for First Nations Australians
- Contributed to development and translation of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander radiation therapy talking book
Works
Search Professor Nienke Zomerdijk’s works on UQ eSpace
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
2018
Conference Publication
Predictors of Negative Psychosocial Outcomes Among Adult Related Stem Cell Donors - An Australian Multicenter Study
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Turner, Jane, Hill, Geoffrey and Gottlieb, David (2018). Predictors of Negative Psychosocial Outcomes Among Adult Related Stem Cell Donors - An Australian Multicenter Study. 20th World Congress of Psycho‐Oncology, Hong Kong, 29 October-2 November 2018. Oxford, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/pon.4878
2018
Conference Publication
Being a Stem Cell Donor for a Chronically-ill Family Member: Results from an Australian Multicenter Study
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Turner, Jane, Hill, Geoffrey and Gottlieb, David (2018). Being a Stem Cell Donor for a Chronically-ill Family Member: Results from an Australian Multicenter Study. 20th World Congress of Psycho‐Oncology, Hong Kong, 29 October-2 November 2018. Oxford, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/pon.4878
2018
Journal Article
Granulocytes are unresponsive to IL-6 due to an absence of gp130
Wilkinson, Andrew N., Gartlan, Kate H., Kelly, Greg, Samson, Luke D., Olver, Stuart D., Avery, Judy, Zomerdijk, Nienke, Tey, Siok-Keen, Lee, Jason S., Vuckovic, Slavica and Hill, Geoffrey R. (2018). Granulocytes are unresponsive to IL-6 due to an absence of gp130. Journal of Immunology, 200 (9), 3547-3555. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1701191
2018
Journal Article
Early blood stream infection after BMT is associated with cytokine dysregulation and poor overall survival
Catchpoole, Elizabeth M., Thirunavukarasu, Caitlin E., Varelias, Antiopi, Schlebusch, Sanmarié, Olver, Stuart, Zomerdijk, Nienke, Osland, Emma, Kennedy, Glen A., Tey, Siok-Keen, Hill, Geoffrey R. and Markey, Kate A. (2018). Early blood stream infection after BMT is associated with cytokine dysregulation and poor overall survival. Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, 24 (7), 1360-1366. doi: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2018.02.025
2017
Journal Article
Nutritional status and dietary diversity of Kamea in Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea
Goris, Janny M., Zomerdijk, Nienke and Temple, Victor J. (2017). Nutritional status and dietary diversity of Kamea in Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 26 (4), 665-670. doi: 10.6133/apjcn.052016.09
2016
Conference Publication
The Psychosocial Impact of Donating Haematopoietic Stem Cells on Adult Sibling Donors
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Turner, Jane, Hill, Geoff, Gottlieb, David, Ungerer, Jacobus and Barnes, Annette (2016). The Psychosocial Impact of Donating Haematopoietic Stem Cells on Adult Sibling Donors. *, *, *. Oxford, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons.
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Nienke Zomerdijk is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose 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: