Rate My Professor Jena Buchan

Dr. Jena Buchan, FHEA, MHlthSc (University of Notre Dame Australia), PhD (Queensland University of Technology), is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Health at Southern Cross University. As an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Work Integrated Learning Academic Coordinator in exercise and sports science, she coordinates units NUTR1001 and SPRT3001, teaches oncology aspects of the exercise physiology program, and supports students in developing sustainable health habits for optimal wellbeing.

Buchan's research specializes in exercise interventions to support physical and psychosocial wellbeing for individuals during and after cancer treatment, university students on placement, and broader habit formation and goal setting in health behaviors, including workplace physical activity to counter sedentary lifestyles. Her key publications include 'A randomized trial on the effect of exercise mode on breast cancer-related lymphedema' (Buchan et al., 2016, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise), 'A multimodal physiotherapy programme plus deep water running for improving cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in breast cancer survivors' (Cuesta-Vargas et al., 2014, European Journal of Cancer Care), 'An individual-based versus group-based exercise and counselling intervention for improving quality of life in breast cancer survivors' (Naumann et al., 2012, Psycho-Oncology), 'The influence of exercise training volume alterations on the gut microbiome in highly-trained middle-distance runners' (Craven et al., 2022, European Journal of Sport Science), and 'Exploring environmental cues to instigate physical movement in the workplace' (Jenkins et al., 2024). With over 25 publications and more than 290 citations, her work impacts exercise oncology, behavioral health, and education. Previous affiliations include Griffith University, contributing to the Physical Activity, Sport and Exercise Research Theme at Southern Cross University.