Qualifications
PhD
Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement Studies) with First Class Honours / Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition & Dietetics)
Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP)
Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD)
Accredited Sports Dietitian (ASD)
Profile
Since graduating from Queensland University of Technology in 2011, Jenna has worked as a dietitian and exercise physiologist at the Wesley Hospital, predominately in her passionate field of cardiac rehabilitation. Additionally, Jenna has worked in private practice and has held sessional academic teaching positions at Queensland University of Technology.
In 2015, Jenna commenced her PhD candidature at The University of Queensland, and since then has been successful in obtaining the following grants, scholarships and awards:
2016 – 2019 Wesley Medical Research Grant ($37, 500), Chief investigator
2017 – 2019 NHMRC Postgraduate Research Scholarship
2016 – 2019 University of Queensland Postgraduate Research Scholarship
2017 HMNS Research Student Travel Award
Jenna obtained her PhD in 2019.
Research Interests
Jenna’s research interests in secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease have stemmed from her career in cardiac rehabilitation. With this strong clinical background, translation of findings into practice is an important focus of her research.
As part of her PhD, Jenna led a clinical randomised controlled trial “The FITR Heart Study”, comparing High Intensity Interval Training to Moderate Intensity Continuous Training (usual care) in patients with coronary artery disease attending hospital-initiated cardiac rehabilitation. The primary outcome of this trial is cardiorespiratory fitness, with an extensive array of secondary outcomes including, safety, adherence, visceral adipose tissue, liver fat, vascular function, body composition, dietary behaviour, inflammation, and other cardiovascular risk factors.
Jenna published a study protocol manuscript in 2017 and has been accepted to present at national and international conferences.
Publications
Taylor. J; Keating. SE; Leveritt. MD; Holland. DJ; Gomersall. SR; and Coombes. J. (2017). Study protocol for the FITR Heart Study: Feasibility, safety, adherence, and efficacy of high intensity interval training in a hospital-initiated rehabilitation program for coronary heart disease. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 8, 181-191.
Conference Oral Presentations
2018 Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) Conference, Brisbane, Australia; Finalist for Young Investigator Award in Exercise & Health.
2018 Okanagan Cardiovascular & Respiratory Symposium, BC, Canada.
2017 Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society (ANZOS) Conference, Adelaide, Australia