Patricia Sheehan
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20182025

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Biography

Dr Patricia Sheehan

Lecturer | Work Placement Coordinator | International Mobility Officer | Active Exercise Oncology Researcher
Department of Sport & Exercise Science, South East Technological University (SETU)

For a deeper insight into her research, teaching, and outreach work, including digital stories and videos capturing her projects, please visit her LinkedIn profile.

Dr. Patricia Sheehan is a lecturer, work placement coordinator, and International Mobility Officer in the Department of Sport & Exercise Science at SETU. She is a leading exercise oncology researcher, dedicated to integrating physical activity into cancer care and bridging the gap between research and real-world implementation.

She completed her PhD in 2018/2019, titled An Exercise Intervention for Cancer-Related Fatigue, under the supervision of Prof. Michael Harrison (SETU), Dr. Suzanne Denieffe (SETU), and Prof. Niamh Murphy (SETU). Her research has been presented internationally and nationally.

Her work has had a direct clinical impact, forming the basis of the ExWell Medical MoveOn Programme, run at SETU Arena, benefiting cancer patients across the South East of Ireland.

National & International Research Leadership

Dr. Sheehan has played a key role in shaping national policy and exercise-based interventions for cancer care. She was part of the SETU research team commissioned by the HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) to conduct a scoping review of physical activity services for cancer patients in Ireland, alongside Prof. Michael Harrison and Dr. Brona Kehoe. This work, in collaboration with Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and led by Prof. Niall Moyna (DCU), has directly informed national approaches to exercise oncology care.

Her research extends to global initiatives, including her role in the Football is Medicine movement. She is currently involved in:

  • A Football is Medicine project exploring how football can support cancer survivor's quality of life, improving physical, emotional, and psychological health.
  • Advocacy for scaling up exercise interventions, ensuring that evidence-based practices reach the populations that need them most.
  • A research team that won Overall Best Initiative at the Football is Medicine Conference, Finland, highlighting the impact of this innovative approach to physical activity in healthcare.

She is also actively engaged in policy development, contributing to the extension of the National Physical Activity Guidelines to include:
✅ Pregnancy and postpartum populations


She was a key participant in the National Physical Activity Guidelines Stakeholder Consultation, collaborating with Dr. Bláthín Casey (HSE), Prof. Michael Harrison (SETU), and a multidisciplinary expert team.

Teaching, Student Engagement & International Mobility

Dr. Sheehan is deeply committed to empowering students and preparing them for careers in sports, nutrition, health, and exercise sciences. She takes pride in:

  • Work placement coordination, ensuring students gain high-quality, hands-on experience in clinical, community, and research settings.
  • International Mobility Officer role, supporting students in studying and undertaking placements abroad, building global networks and research collaborations.
  • Mentoring undergraduate and postgraduate students, fostering academic excellence and career development.

She actively promotes student-led research and outreach initiatives, ensuring that students are engaged in real-world applications of sport and exercise science.

Research & Collaborations

As an exercise oncology researcher, Dr. Sheehan is engaged in multidisciplinary research projects focusing on exercise interventions for cancer recovery, chronic disease management, and health promotion. She is a member of:

  • Biomedical Research Team, SETU
  • Health Behaviour Research Group, School of Health Sciences, SETU
  • HRB Clinical Research Facility (CRF-C), Cork and University Hospital Waterford (UHW)
  • ACSM’s Exercise Oncology Special Interest Group
  • International Society of Exercise Oncology

Her research portfolio includes:
✅ Exercise-based rehabilitation for cancer survivors
✅ Physical activity and mental health in chronic disease populations
✅ Technology-driven interventions in exercise oncology
✅ Community-based exercise programs and long-term health outcomes

She has strong national and international research collaborations, working with:

  • University Hospital Waterford (UHW)
  • UPMC Whitfield Cancer Centre
  • Health Service Executive (HSE)
  • Irish Cancer Society & Solas Cancer Support Centre
  • Irish Heart Foundation & Irish Men’s Shed Association
  • International exercise oncology research groups

Community Outreach & Programme Development

Dr. Sheehan is dedicated to bridging research and practice, contributing to the development and delivery of outreach programmes. She has been instrumental in:

  • MedEx at SETU Programme (now ExWell at SETU Programme) – serving as a steering committee member and expanding exercise rehabilitation for chronic disease patients.
  • Primary and secondary school outreach programmes, promoting physical activity and health education.
  • Community health initiatives, advocating for exercise as medicine in chronic disease care.

Funding, Grants & Future Research

Dr. Sheehan has successfully secured and contributed to multiple research grants, including:

  • SETU Research Connexions Grant
  • National and international funding applications in exercise oncology
  • Industry and community partnership funding for cancer rehabilitation research
  • National Cancer Control Programme 
  • NTutorr funding 
  • HSE funding

Her future research aims to:
🔹 Advance the integration of exercise into standard cancer care
🔹 Develop paper-based and digital resources for personalised exercise interventions
🔹 Investigate the impact of exercise on cancer-related fatigue, and other debilitating side effects of cancer and its treatment and survivorship
🔹 Expand international collaborations to enhance global exercise oncology research

Her commitment to evidence-based practice, community engagement, and student development ensures that her work continues to drive meaningful impact at both academic and clinical levels.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 4 - Quality Education
  • SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
  • SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals

Education/Academic qualification

PhD, An Exercise Intervention for Cancer Fatigue

30 Sep 200131 Jul 2031

Award Date: 14 Oct 2019

External positions

Evaluation of Level 9 Programme, Carolow IT

Champion , Irish Sport and Exercise Science Association

Reviewer, Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science

Reviewer, Pilot and Feasibility Studies

Quality Reviewer, Racing Academy & Centre of Education.

Board of Directors , Waterford Local Sports Partnership

PhD examiner

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