Staff Profile
Career Summary
Biography
Dr Snodgrass is a Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy. Prior to coming to academia, she worked as a physiotherapist in private practice and sporting settings for 10 years in the USA and Australia. An early career researcher and less than 5 years post-PhD, Dr Snodgrass has 160 citations, an H-index of 9, and an M-index of 2.5. She has published an average of 5 papers per year since her PhD was awarded, with an average of 7.6 citations per paper. She has published 26 papers in peer-reviewed journals and given 36 conference presentations, the majority international. Her work has been recognised with several awards, including excellence in a published review of the literature in an international journal and an international post-graduate student prize.
Dr Snodgrass’ research focuses on the mechanisms that define and modulate pain in the neck, back and head. This includes defining the dose of conservative therapies for pain, estimating injury risk in work and sporting settings and improving the practical skills of novice clinicians in treating pain. She is known for her work defining spinal stiffness and the treatments designed to address this, receiving an international invitation to publish a review on this topic. Dr Snodgrass has a strong interest in student learning, and recently led an Australian Learning and Teaching Council grant to investigate the effectiveness of electronic assessment and feedback mechanisms for evaluating health students' practical skills. This project has led to further grants to develop these assessment techniques for use in clinical settings and with other health disciplines, supprted by health Workforce Australia. Dr Snodgrass has also developed equipment that is now used to teach physiotherapy students the practical skills of accurate application of manual therapy techniques.
Dr Snodgrass has attracted $516,000 in research funding. Dr Snodgrass was also selected for a University Fellowship to develop improved training programs for students to learning to manage patients with painful musculoskeletal conditions. She has supervised 24 research Honours students and five research higher degree students. Dr Snodgrass served on the Scientific Committee for the Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia (MPA) national conference in 2007 and convened this conference in 2009. She is an invited reviewer for six international journals in the field of physiotherapy. She currently serves on the Scientific Committee for the National Physiotherapy Educators group.
Dr Snodgrass’ work role consists of a balance of research, teaching and administration. She convenes the School’s Honours programs (includes two programs for 6 diverse health disciplines and 9 degree programs), and coordinates Research Higher Degree programs (PhD and research Masters). She is the Deputy Chair of the School of Health Sciences Research and Research Training Committee (representing nine discipline programs), and contributes to the teaching of musculoskeletal content in the physiotherapy program.
Qualifications
- PhD (Physiotherapy), University of Newcastle, 03/09/2008
- Bachelor of Science (Physical Therapy), University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 10/08/1992
- Master of Medical Science, University of Newcastle, 05/03/2004
Research
Research keywords
- cervical spine
- healthy lifestyle
- musculoskeletal manipulations
- neck pain
- physical activity
- physical therapy/physiotherapy
- spine
Research expertise
Dr Snodgrass’ research focuses on the mechanisms that define and modulate pain in the neck, back and head. This includes defining the dose of conservative therapies for pain, investigating rehabilitation strategies that include movement retraining, estimating injury risk in work and sporting settings and improving the practical skills of novice clinicians in treating pain. She also leads a multidisciplinary collaboration which aims to improve health professionals' input to the managing obesity, a factor in pain, and promoting healthy lifestyles in their patients.
Fields of Research
| Code | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 110300 | Clinical Sciences | 45 |
| 110600 | Human Movement And Sports Science | 45 |
| 110499 | Complementary And Alternative Medicine Not Elsewhere Classified | 10 |
Memberships
Body relevant to professional practice.
- Member - Australian Physiotherapy Association
Committee/Associations (relevant to research).
- Member, Scientific Committee - Scientific Committee Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia Biennial Conference 2007
Other
- Member - Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia
Awards
Research Award.
| 2008 | ANZAME Post-graduate Student Award Australia and New Zealand Association for Health Professional Education (ANZAME) (Australia) For: Innovative technology accelerates learning of hands-on physiotherapy treatment skills (Snodgrass SJ, Rivett DA, Robertson VJ, & Stojanovski E) |
|---|---|
| 2007 | Best of the Best Research Showcase First Runner-up Faculty of Health, The University of Newcastle (Australia) For outstanding oral presentation |
| 2005 | Faculty of Health Award for Outstanding Oral Presentation Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle (Australia) Graduate Students' Day award for outstanding oral presentation. |
| 2002 | OPTP Award for Excellence in a Published Review of the Literature Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy (United States) Journal award for published research article. |
Collaboration
An early career researcher, Dr Snodgrass has established international and national collaborations related to the mechanisms and treatment of musculoskeletal pain which have attracted three competitive grants. She also leads two local collaborations, one focussed in musculoskeletal pain and one multidisciplinary group focussed on health professionals’ input to obesity management.
Administrative
Administrative expertise
Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) Program Convenor
School of Health Sciences Honours Coordinator (Embedded+ and End-on programs)
Teaching
Teaching keywords
- musculoskeletal physiotherapy
- physiotherapy
- sports physiotherapy
- therapeutic exercise
Teaching expertise
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
Practical assessment for health students
Grants and Funding
Summary
| Number of grants | 17 |
|---|---|
| Total funding | $365,723 |
For project grants received where the lead institution is other than the University of Newcastle, details are shown in italics.
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
2013 (2 grants)
Using technology to enhance clinical supervision: The Electronically-Facilitated Feedback Initiative (EEFI)$33,322
Funding Body: HETI (Health Education and Training Institute)
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Suzanne Snodgrass, Professor Darren Rivett, Ms Samantha Ashby, Ms Catherine Johnston, Mr Kim Nguyen, Dr Trevor Russell | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| NSW ICTN Local Project Fund | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $33,322 | 2013 | 2013 |
| GNo:G1201150 | ||
Australian Physiotherapy Association Conference, Melbourne 17-20 Oct 13.$855
Funding Body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Suzanne Snodgrass | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $855 | 2013 | 2013 |
| GNo:G1301021 | ||
2012 (1 grants)
IFOMPT 2012, the World Congress of Manual/Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, Convention Centre 30 September - 5 October 2012$2,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Suzanne Snodgrass | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $2,000 | 2012 | 2013 |
| GNo:G1200600 | ||
2011 (4 grants)
Adult lifestyle incentives for vitality and energy (ALIVE): Supporting health professionals to assist clients with weight management through lifestyle changes$20,000
Funding Body: Hunter Medical Research Institute
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Suzanne Snodgrass, Professor Clare Collins, Doctor Carole James, Associate Professor Ashley Kable, Doctor Maya Guest, Ms Samantha Ashby, Professor Ronald Plotnikoff, Doctor Patrick McElduff | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Project Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $20,000 | 2011 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1001025 | ||
Injuries, practices and perceptions of wheelchair sports participants in NSW$19,912
Funding Body: NSW Sporting Injuries Committee
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Professor Darren Rivett, Doctor Suzanne Snodgrass, Mr Peter Osmotherly, Mr Robin Haskins | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research & Injury Prevention Scheme | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $19,912 | 2011 | 2012 |
| GNo:G1100776 | ||
Physical characteristics predisposing rugby players to neck injuries: A replicable model for acceleration/contact sport$19,740
Funding Body: NSW Sporting Injuries Committee
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Suzanne Snodgrass, Professor Darren Rivett, Mr Peter Osmotherly, Mrs Susan Reid | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research & Injury Prevention Scheme | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $19,740 | 2011 | 2013 |
| GNo:G1100796 | ||
Dose Optimisation for Spinal Treatment Effectiveness (The Dose Study): A randomised controlled pilot trial investigating the effects of high and low mobilisation forces in patients with neck pain$9,999
Funding Body: Physiotherapy Research Foundation
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Suzanne Snodgrass, Professor Darren Rivett | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $9,999 | 2011 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1000952 | ||
2010 (2 grants)
The eOSCE: Advancing technology to improve students learning and assessment reliability$220,000
Funding Body: Australian Learning and Teaching Council
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Suzanne Snodgrass, Professor Darren Rivett, Doctor Imelda Burgman, Ms Samantha Ashby | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Research Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $220,000 | 2010 | 2012 |
| GNo:G1000787 | ||
American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting 2010, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA, USA, 17 - 20 February 2010$2,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Suzanne Snodgrass | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $2,000 | 2010 | 2011 |
| GNo:G1000388 | ||
2008 (2 grants)
Hydro Aluminium Biomechanical Study of the Carbon Plant$14,446
Funding Body: Newcastle Innovation
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Maya Guest, Doctor Carole James, Doctor Suzanne Snodgrass | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Administered Research | Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $14,446 | 2008 | 2008 |
| GNo:G0189032 | ||
9th Congress of the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manual Theraposts, IFOMT2008, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 8/6/2008 - 13/6/2008$1,700
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Suzanne Snodgrass | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $1,700 | 2008 | 2008 |
| GNo:G0188629 | ||
2007 (1 grants)
World Physical Therapy 2007, 2-6/6/07$1,700
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Suzanne Snodgrass | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $1,700 | 2007 | 2007 |
| GNo:G0187407 | ||
2006 (2 grants)
Cervical spine mobilisation: Investigation of applied forces$8,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Suzanne Snodgrass | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Early Career Researcher Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $8,000 | 2006 | 2006 |
| GNo:G0186173 | ||
12th Annual American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists Conference, The Westin, Charlotte, NC, USA, 20-22 October 2006$1,500
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Suzanne Snodgrass | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $1,500 | 2006 | 2006 |
| GNo:G0186814 | ||
2005 (1 grants)
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia 14th Biennial Conference, 24-26 November 2005$400
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Suzanne Snodgrass | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $400 | 2005 | 2005 |
| GNo:G0185662 | ||
2004 (2 grants)
Cervical spine mobilisation: Investigation of applied forces$10,000
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Suzanne Snodgrass | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Early Career Researcher Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $10,000 | 2004 | 2004 |
| GNo:G0184997 | ||
2004 Australian Falls Prevention Conference, 21-23 November 2004$149
Funding Body: University of Newcastle
| Project Team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Suzanne Snodgrass | ||
| Scheme | Role | |
| Travel Grant | Chief Investigator | |
| Total Amount | Funding Start | Funding Finish |
| $149 | 2004 | 2004 |
| GNo:G0184820 | ||
Research Supervision
| Number of current supervisions | 4 |
|---|---|
| Total current UoN Masters EFTSL | 0.9 |
| Total current UoN PhD EFTSL | 0.05 |
For supervisions undertaken at an institution other that the University of Newcastle, details are shown in italics, and the institution name is listed below the program name.
Current Supervision
| Commenced | Proposed Completion | Program | Supervisor Type | Research Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2017 | M Philosophy (Physiotherapy) | Principal Supervisor | An Investigation of the Relationship Between Shoulder Impingement and Thoracic Spine Posture |
| 2011 | 2013 | M Philosophy (Music) | Co-Supervisor | The Flute and the Body: Improving Technique and Wellbeing Through the Body |
| 2009 | 2013 | M Philosophy (Physiotherapy) | Co-Supervisor | An Investigation into the Relationship Between Clinical Reasoning and the Use of Clinical Prediction Rules in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy |
| 2009 | 2017 | PhD (Physiotherapy) | Co-Supervisor | The Identification and Treatments of Patients with Cervicogenic Dizziness and Pain |
Past Supervision
| Year | Program | Supervisor Type | Research Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | M Philosophy (Physiotherapy) | Co-Supervisor | The Association between the Static Posture of the Cervical Spine and Cervicogenic Headache |
Dr Suzanne Snodgrass
| Work Phone | (02) 492 12089 |
|---|---|
| Fax | (02) 492 17902 |
| Suzanne.Snodgrass@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Position | Senior Lecturer School of Health Sciences Faculty of Health and Medicine |
| Focus Area | Physiotherapy |
| Office | HC14, Hunter Building, Callaghan University Drive Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia |
| URL: | www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/suzanne-snodgrass |
