Prof. Martina Gooney obtained a BSc in Biomedical Science from University College Cork and completed her PhD at Trinity College, Dublin. In 2001, Martina took up her first academic appointment as a lecturer in Anatomy and Physiology in South East Technological University (formerly Waterford Institute of Technology). During her time in SETU , she has lectured in both the Department of Science and the Department of Nursing and Health Care.  She is also a member of the Research Ethics Committee at SETU since 2011.

In her role as a lecturer within SETU, she has been actively involved with the delivery of research led teaching, assessment and examining across a range of modules and disciplines. Overall, Prof. Gooney has focused largely on consistently contributing to both undergraduate curriculum development and teaching, while also successfully supervising and supporting postgraduate students through their research journeys to Masters and PhD level. 

During Prof. Gooney’s time at SETU, she has been involved in a number of research projects and has been actively involved in establishing the Biomedical Research Group, a subgroup of the Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre. This group involves staff from WIT, clinicians from University Hospital Waterford and the Royal College of Surgeons.  Her principal areas of research interest include the impact of cancer and it’s treatment on quality of life and symptom presentation.

She has supervised a number of research students to MSc and PhD level. Her research activity in SETU has led to awards of over €3 million in research funding from competitive national, EU and international funding.

Recent research projects and areas of research interest focus on:

• Cancer Related Fatigue
• Symptoms, symptom clusters and biomarkers in cancer
• Antenatal care
• Views of community mental health nurses in Ireland to nurse prescribing
• Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip
• Compassion fatigue and burnout in health professionals
• Addiction studies including the EU FP7 funded CODMISUSED (Over the counter codeine use, misuse and dependence) project
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and physical activity in children

Prof. Gooney has taught at undergraduate and post-graduate level for over 20 years. She has lectured in both the Department of Science and the Department of Nursing. This has included teaching of practical sessions, co-ordination of modules, supervision of Diploma and Degree students undertaking research projects and co-ordinating the Physiology and Pathophysiology modules on pre- and post-registration nursing courses.

 Principle areas of teaching:

• Biopharmaceutical Science
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Pathophysiology
• Medication Management
• Research Methods