Erin Nugent is one to watch
Erin Nugent is about to finish her honours year in her Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree at UoN and has been named as one of Women’s Agenda Magazine’s “Sixteen female graduates to watch in 2014.”
After deciding to partake in honours year at the end of 2012, Erin applied for a Summer Research Scholarship with the School of Health Sciences. Over the summer holidays, she participated in a mentoring program with Dr Suzanne Snodgrass from the Discipline of Physiotherapy. There she learned about ethics applications, referencing, literature searching and writing manuscripts to meet the publishing specifications of journals. The aim of the program was to equip Erin the research skills to complete her own honours project.
Erin’s project involves investigating the reliability of an isokinetic strength machine in the Human Performance Lab here at UoN. Already, Erin has carried out some significant research into the field, having developed her own method of investigating isokinetic leg strength, where the same tension is maintained as muscles shorten or lengthen.
“We recruited 70 healthy volunteers to be tested on our machine and we looked at the strength of their knee flexors and extensors on both legs at five different speeds. The machine works by setting resistance at set velocities, so it took quite a bit of time!” says Erin.
Having worked hard in a variety of work experiences throughout her degree including placements at Rankin Park Centre, Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital, the Ageing Disability and Home Care in Grafton and Blacktown Hospital, Erin is modest about her development in the field and her recognition in Women’s Agenda Magazine.
“My honours supervisor nominated me for the position, I had never heard about it before…to be honest, I feel a bit silly being up there next to women who work with NASA or are featured in the New York Times! But I’m happy to represent the physiotherapy profession and health sector in that area.” says Erin.
On the top of Erin’s to-do list after she graduates is find a job in the highly competitive industry.
“There are a lot of physiotherapy graduates coming out of uni across Australia this year and there are not that many jobs, so it is very competitive. If I can get anything I will be happy. I don’t really have a preference and can’t afford to be picky at this stage!”
However, Erin’s long term plans are starting to form as she begins to think about her future ambitions.
“Where I see myself in the future is always changing and I haven’t made up my mind, but I think physio has a massive role to play in health promotion. I would love to be involved in community programs to promote healthy lifestyles, particularly among kids.”
Check out Erin Nugent in Women’s Agenda Magazine here.
