Professor Kim Alexander

Biography

A Cancer Nursing specialist and senior academic, I have dedicated my clinical career, research, teaching and learning, and service to cancer nursing, epidemiology and survivorship. I am driven to support, educate and empower Cancer Nurses and improve the quality of life of people affected by cancer. I am acknowledged nationally and internationally for my work in the emerging science of genomics and patient-outcomes in cancer.

A highly skilled educator, I have taught cancer nursing, research, epidemiology, and health promotion across the spectrum of higher education in accordance with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), and developed bespoke cancer nursing and nursing genomics education for industry. My approach is personalised to ensure all students feel welcome, valued and safe to contribute to their own learning and facilitate peer-relationships.

Dedicated to transforming post-diagnosis outcomes of cancer patients, I lead a research program focused on personalised cancer care in survivorship. These projects are focused on predictive patient profiling through genomics and other techniques to develop tailored interventions to improve the health and quality of life of cancer survivors.

My research work is comprehensive and has involved all study designs, and I tailor the design to answer the research gap identified. I have hands-on experience in the variations of systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials, cohort, cross-sectional, co-design, mixed-methods, and implementation designs.

I draw on my research knowledge as a supervisor, research leader and mentor. I have supervised nine post-graduate Higher Degree Research (HDR) candidates to successful completion and I currently supervise 7 HDR students in cancer care. I have also provided research mentoring through positions such as my joint appointment with St Vincent's Private Hospital Northside and Brisbane, Chair of the St Vincent's Health and Aged Care Ethics Committee, Chair of the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia Research Committee, and the Academic Lead for Research for the School of Nursing.

A passionate industry partner, I engage with industry stakeholders and bring my skills to solve contemporary issues. I continually seek opportunities to build strategic alliances with industry to deliver real-world impact. I have increased research capabilities and doubled the research activity at St Vincent’s Private Hospital. I have also performed tailored literature reviews and research that resulted in clear direction for organisational strategy and issues.  My relationships with organisations such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, QLD Health, and St Vincent's Health continue.