PERSONAL DATA

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION POSITIONS

 KEY RESEARCH INTEREST

Acute procedural pain management among young children. I’m interested in managing immunisation pain using simple non-pharmacological interventions, such as using oral glucose solutions to reduce pain behaviours (ex. Crying). This topic was a part of my PhD thesis which was conferred March/2011.

Exploring pediatric nurses’ perception and knowledge about infants’ pain management and the use of current available non-pharmacological interventions. This topic was also part of my PhD thesis which was conferred March/2011.

Simulation learning as one part of successful training, especially before placing nursing students at clinical settings. Simulation is a safe and less risk area in which students can get there training without having the risk of harming patients. It is a very useful way of learning and would improve nurses’ student’s skills before the go to hospitals. 

Vitamin D deficiency and it’s relation to chronic diseases. Also, I’m interested in finding the relation between VD deficiency and its relation to genetic factors.

KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES:

Knowledge and experience of undertaking systematic review and synthesis/analyses of meta-analysis

Knowledge and experience of undertaking research using both quantitative and qualitative research methods

Experience of running focus groups and workshops for undergraduate/postgraduate and other faculty staff

Record of research publications in peer-reviewed journals (including Cochrane review group)

Experience of presenting research findings to a variety of professional audiences

Experience of supervising and managing research staff

Experience of delivering training sessions

Awareness of Data Protection, Research & Clinical Governance Guidelines and Ethical Requirements

SKILLS:

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Proficient in word processing, Endnote, RevMan 5.6 and other databases beside SPSS

Good organisational skills and attention to detail

Ability to manage time, workload and prioritise with minimal supervision

Ability to write for different audiences

Ability to write for publication

Willingness and ability to learn new skills as appropriate

Ability work well as part of a team and under own initiative

Flexible and adaptable approach to working

Understanding and respect for confidentiality

Highly self motivated

Willingness to travel to research sites/conferences/events

CURRENT RESEARCH AND PROJECT

PhD (2011).  Investigated the effectiveness of oral glucose in reducing 3-month immunization pain among Jordanian infants. Manal Kassab, Maralyn Fourer & Cathrine Fowler.

PhD (2011). Exploring Peaditric nurses’ perception and Knowledge about infants pain mangment in Jordan. Manal Kassab, Maralyn Fourer & Cathrine Fowler.

PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

Manal Ibrahim Kassab, Jessica K. Roydhouse, Cathrine Fowler, Maralyn Foureur (2011). The Effectiveness of Glucose in Reducing Needle-Related Procedural Pain in Infants. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, Volume 27(1): 3-17.

Manal Kassab and Carole Kenner (2011). Simulation and Neonatal Nursing Education. Newborn and Infant Nursing Reviews, Volume 11(1): 8-9.

Kassab, M., Foster, J., Foureur, M & Fowler, C. Sweet-tasting solutions for needle-related procedural pain in infants one month to one year of age (Protocol). Cochrane Review (Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group): 8, 2010.

Manal Kassab, Annabel Sheehy^,  Madeleine King, Cathrine Fowler, Maralyn Foureur (2011). A double-blind randomised controlled trial of 25% oral glucose for pain relief in 2-month old infants undergoing immunisation. International Journal of Nursing Studies (In Press).

Manal Kassab, Cathrine Fowler, Maralyn Foureur (2011). Managing immunisation Pain in infants. Australian Association of Maternal, Child and Family Health Nurses (In Press).

Manal Kassab, Cathrine Fowler, Maralyn Foureur (2012). Exploring paediatrics nurses knowledge and perception about infant’s procedural pain. Journal of Pediatric nurses (In press)

Conference presentation/Workshop (2006-2011)

Kassab, M. RCT: Pain relief from routine immunisation. Great Expectations: Present and Future: 17th Annual Conference Association of Neonatal Nurses (NSW), Rydges North Sydney, Oct 2006. www.cywhs.sa.gov.au/.../WHA_CHA_E-Newsletter_October_2006.pdf

Kassab, M., Foureur, M & Fowler, C.  Managing Immunisation pain in Infants: Sweet Taste Solutions: 15^th Annual Congress (Hotel Grand Chancellor), Hobart, Sydney, April2011.

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1440-1754.2011.02047.x/pdf

Organise and presented as a keynote speaker at scientific symposium “Pain management is a human right. The role of medical and academic nurses in managing patient’s pain” : 24^thNovember 2011, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Jordan.

Kassab, M. Genetic effect on Vitamin D level among children. The 8^th Annual Pediatric Review Conference (Landmark Amman Hotel, Amman, Jordan, February 2012.

Research and Academic Development Work shops

2003                 Academic Writing 1 (UTS-Sydney)

2003                 Academic Writing 3 (UTS-Sydney)

2004                 Seminar Presentation 3 (UTS-Sydney)

2010                 Academic Development Program                                                                                            2009-2011       Cochrane Workshop for conducting a systematic review and Meta-Analysis                                                                                                     

                         Introduction to writing a Cochrane review (UTS-Sydney)

                         Systematic Literature Searches Workshop (UTS-Sydney)

                         Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of health research (UTS-Sydney)       

Cochrane workshops focused at the process of writing research protocol develop systematic review through systematic and comprehensive searching for studies, and assessing the risk of bias (critical appraisal) of included studies. It also introduced common data types encountered in systematic reviews, conducting a meta-analysis, using the Review Manager Software package to explore and interpret studies results.

2011                 Research Commercialisation Module (e-Grad School online module (Australia)

This module helped me to develop a grounded understanding of intellectual property in light of its potential for commercialisation, and a working knowledge of typical commercialisation processes.

2011                 Project Management Module (e-Grad School online module (Australia)

Through this module I developed required skills in defining the research project, an appreciation of the generic project management processes and some knowledge of the parameters relevant to managing it.

2011                 Leadership and Communication Module (e-Grad School online module (Australia)

                         Through this module I gained the following required skills

1.      Understanding leadership styles, relationship between leadership and communication and how it relates to personal and workplace experience.

2.      Identifying various forms, methods and modes of communication, noting factors such as the impact of cross cultural communication in modern day workplaces and educational institutions.

3.      Explaining the inter-relationship between communication, mentoring, coaching, team membership and interpersonal skills in terms of leadership development.

4.      To recognising professional practice and research development in relation to all gained skills described above.

MEMBERSHIPS

2007/ Current            International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)

2007/Current             Autism Spectrum of Australia 

2006/Current             Council of International Neonatal Nurses (COINN)

                                  Member as a regional representative of Jordan

2010/Current             Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ)

2011/Current             Jordanian Pain Society (JPS) (Organiser and active member)

2010/ Current            Administrator Clinical Trial Registery for Jordan Uinversity of Sceince and technology

2012/Current           Active representative Jordanian Pain Society/ Irbid Chapter

2012/2015               Honorary Appointment as an Associate (Clinical Fellow)

                                at University of technology     Sydney (UTS)

Reviewers - Peer Reviewer with

1. Journal of Pediatric Nursing

2. Cochrane Pain Palliative and Supportive Care review

3. Australian Association of Maternal, Child and Family Health Nurses

 Referee:

1. Professor Maralyn Foureur,

University of Technology, Sydney, Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Health, Centre for Midwifery, Child and Family Health.

E-mail: Maralyn.Foureur@uts.edu.au

2. Professor Cathrine Fowler

Tresillian Chair in Child & Family Health, University of Technology, Sydney, Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Health, Centre for Midwifery, Child & Family Health  

E-mail: Cathrine.Fowler@uts.edu.au

3.      Associate Professor  Robyn Gallagher

Associate Professor Chronic and Complex Care, Coordinator Bachelor Honours Programs. Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health

Email: Robyn.Gallagher@uts.edu.au

4. Jann Foster

Research Officer/Coordinator Australasian Satellite of the Cochrane Collaboration Neonatal Review Group Central Clinical School - Discipline of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Sydney. Based at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Newborn Care                     

E-mail: j.foster@usyd.edu.au