Research Profile

Biography

Samantha graduated from Trinity College /Dublin Institute of Technology with a BSc (1H) Human Nutrition and Dietetics. She completed her PhD studies in March 2015, at University College Cork (UCC) entitled "Cancer associated malnutrition prevalence of cachexia, sarcopenia and impact on treatment outcomes, survival and health related quality of life". The main focus of her post doctoral research was to design pilot studies to identify if a bioactive from milk had any physiological effect on appetite in the malnourished oncology & elderly population. Following on from her post doctoral studies, Samantha took up the position of Practice Tutor/Special Lecturer in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, at University College Dublin. During that time, Samantha was appointed Project Manager for The European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians (EFAD), supporting European dietitians in initiating, conducting and disseminating research at a high level. In 2017, she returned to Cork and joined the academic staff at UCC where she is now a lecturer on the MSc Human Nutrition and Dietetics https://www.ucc.ie/en/ckr07/

Samantha’s experience covers all areas of dietetics and she has given many presentations, media interviews and lectures to the public and fellow professionals in Ireland, the UK and Australia. Samantha has taught nutrition to undergraduates and postgraduates at University College Dublin, Monash University and University College Cork in: nutritional sciences, dietetics, nursing, medicine, food marketing, speech and language therapy and public health. She has published numerous peer reviewed articles, has presented her research at several international scientific meetings and her research has attracted a number of both national and international awards. Her main research interests include (1) assessing the relationship between body composition (sarcopenia and cancer cachexia) and health outcomes in patients with malignant disease (2) investigating the nutrition specific needs of cancer survivors as well as the impact of diet on longer-term cancer recurrence and survival. 
Samantha is a CORU Registered Dietitian and also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching & Learning in Higher Education from UCC.       

Research Interests

Nutritional Status & Body Composition
Nutritional Screening
Immunonutrition
Cachexia & Sarcopenia
Cancer Survivorship 


Research Grants

 ProjectFunding
Body
Start DateEnd DateAward
SEFS New Connections Research Grant AwardUniversity College Cork14-MAR-2201-JAN-23€3,500.00
Nutrition Society Travel BursaryOther: Not Listed19-JUN-2315-SEP-23€600.00
HRB Summer Student ScholarshipHealth Research Board06-JUN-2304-AUG-23€2,400.00
Cancer Research Networking Award 2022Irish Cancer Society01-JAN-2331-AUG-23€1,349.00
SEFS New Connections Summer Bursary AwardUniversity College Cork27-MAR-2327-AUG-23€3,500.00
Research Start Up Fund.Miscellaneous01-SEP-2131-AUG-26€7,500.00

Publications

Book Chapters

 YearPublication
(2021)'The Role of the Dietitian in Palliative Care'
SJ Cushen & AM Ryan (2021) 'The Role of the Dietitian in Palliative Care' In: Nathan I. Cherny , Edited by Marie T. Fallon , Edited by Stein Kaasa , Edited by Russell K. Portenoy , Edited by David C. Currow (eds). Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. [Details]

Peer Reviewed Journals

 YearPublication
(2022)'A large, multicentre prospective study demonstrating high prevalence of malnutrition associated with reduced survival in ambulatory systemic anti-cancer therapy patients'
Sullivan ES, Daly LE, Scannell C, Ni Bhuachalla E, Cushen S, Power DG, Ryan AM (2022) 'A large, multicentre prospective study demonstrating high prevalence of malnutrition associated with reduced survival in ambulatory systemic anti-cancer therapy patients'. Clinical Nutrition Espen, [Details]
(2021)'Health professionals' knowledge, views and advice on diet and dental health: a survey of UK and Ireland dietitians and dentists'
Kingsnorth, J;Cushen, SJ;Janiszewska, K;Avery, A (2021) 'Health professionals' knowledge, views and advice on diet and dental health: a survey of UK and Ireland dietitians and dentists'. Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 34 :705-714 [DOI] [Details]
(2020)'Determinants of quality of life in patients with incurable cancer'
Daly, Louise E.: Dolan, Ross D.; Power, Derek G.; Ní Bhuachalla, Éadaoin; Sim, Wei; Cushen, Samantha J.; Fallon, Marie; Simmons, Claribel; McMillan, Donald C.; Laird, Barry J.; Ryan, Aoife M. (2020) 'Determinants of quality of life in patients with incurable cancer'. Cancer, 126 (12):2872-2882   [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
(2019)'The relationship between the BMI-adjusted weight loss grading system and quality of life in patients with incurable cancer'
Daly L.;Dolan R.;Power D.;Ní Bhuachalla É.;Sim W.;Fallon M.;Cushen S.;Simmons C.;McMillan D.;Laird B.;Ryan A. (2019) 'The relationship between the BMI-adjusted weight loss grading system and quality of life in patients with incurable cancer'. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
(2018)'Loss of skeletal muscle during systemic chemotherapy is prognostic of poor survival in patients with foregut cancer'
Daly, LE;Ni Bhuachalla, EB;Power, DG;Cushen, SJ;James, K;Ryan, AM (2018) 'Loss of skeletal muscle during systemic chemotherapy is prognostic of poor survival in patients with foregut cancer'. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, 9 :315-325 [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
(2018)'Computed tomography diagnosed cachexia and sarcopenia in 725 oncology patients: is nutritional screening capturing hidden malnutrition?'
Ni Bhuachalla, EB;Daly, LE;Power, DG;Cushen, SJ;MacEneaney, P;Ryan, AM (2018) 'Computed tomography diagnosed cachexia and sarcopenia in 725 oncology patients: is nutritional screening capturing hidden malnutrition?'. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, 9 :295-305 [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
(2017)'Does Prolonged Enteral Feeding With Supplemental Omega-3 Fatty Acids Impact on Recovery Post-esophagectomy Results of a Randomized Double-Blind Trial'
Healy, LA;Ryan, A;Doyle, SL;Bhuachalla, EB;Cushen, S;Segurado, R;Murphy, T;Ravi, N;Donohoe, CL;Reynolds, JV (2017) 'Does Prolonged Enteral Feeding With Supplemental Omega-3 Fatty Acids Impact on Recovery Post-esophagectomy Results of a Randomized Double-Blind Trial'. Annals of Surgery, 266 :720-728 [DOI] [Details]
(2017)'Body composition by computed tomography as a predictor of toxicity in patients with renal cell carcinoma treated with Sunitinib'
Cushen S, Power DG, Teo M, Maceneaney P, Maher M, McDermot R, O'Sullivan K, Ryan AM (2017) 'Body composition by computed tomography as a predictor of toxicity in patients with renal cell carcinoma treated with Sunitinib'. American Journal of Clinical Oncology, 40 (1):47-52 [DOI] [Details]
(2017)'The impact of body composition parameters on ipilimumab toxicity and survival in patients with metastatic melanoma'
Daly, LE;Power, DG;O'Reilly, A;Donnellan, P;Cushen, SJ;O'Sullivan, K;Twomey, M;Woodlock, DP;Redmond, HP;Ryan, AM (2017) 'The impact of body composition parameters on ipilimumab toxicity and survival in patients with metastatic melanoma'. British Journal of Cancer, 116 :310-317 [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
(2016)'Sarcopenia and cachexia in the era of obesity: clinical and nutritional impact'
Prado CM;Cushen SJ;Orsso CE;Ryan AM; (2016) 'Sarcopenia and cachexia in the era of obesity: clinical and nutritional impact'. The Proceedings of The Nutrition Society, 75 (2) [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
(2016)'Cancer-associated malnutrition, cachexia and sarcopenia: the skeleton in the hospital closet 40 years later'
Ryan AM;Power DG;Daly L;Cushen SJ;Ní Bhuachalla E;Prado CM; (2016) 'Cancer-associated malnutrition, cachexia and sarcopenia: the skeleton in the hospital closet 40 years later'. The Proceedings of The Nutrition Society, 75 (2) [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
(2016)'Impact of body composition parameters on clinical outcomes in patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer treated with docetaxel'
Cushen, SJ;Power, DG;Murphy, KP;McDermott, R;Griffin, BT;Lim, M;Daly, L;MacEneaney, P;Sullivan, KO;Prado, CM;Ryan, AM (2016) 'Impact of body composition parameters on clinical outcomes in patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer treated with docetaxel'. Clinical Nutrition Espen, 13 :39-45 [DOI] [Details]
(2015)'The role of inflammatory biomarkers in the assessment of nutritional status and disease states'
Ryan AM, Cushen S, Ni Bhuachalla E, Dwyer F, Power DG (2015) 'The role of inflammatory biomarkers in the assessment of nutritional status and disease states'. Topics in Clinical Nutrition, 30 (1):3-15 [Details]
(2015)'Nutrition Assessment in Oncology'
Cushen SJ, Power DG, Ryan AM (2015) 'Nutrition Assessment in Oncology'. Topics in Clinical Nutrition, 30 (1):103-119 [Details]
(2015)'Poor Awareness of Risk Factors for Cancer in Irish Adults: Results of a Large Survey and Review of the Literature'
Ryan, AM;Cushen, S;Schellekens, H;Bhuachalla, EN;Burns, L;Kenny, U;Power, DG (2015) 'Poor Awareness of Risk Factors for Cancer in Irish Adults: Results of a Large Survey and Review of the Literature'. The Oncologist, 20 :372-378 [DOI] [Details]

Other Journals

 YearPublication
(2018)'Nutritional decline in cancer: impact on quality of life, tolerance to treatment and survival & an Irish context'
Ryan AM, Daly LE, Sullivan E, Cushen SJ, Power DG (2018) 'Nutritional decline in cancer: impact on quality of life, tolerance to treatment and survival & an Irish context' Cancer Professional, . [Details]
(2012)'Reducing the risk of cancer through weight loss, diet and exercise'
Ryan AM & Cushen S (2012) 'Reducing the risk of cancer through weight loss, diet and exercise' Cancer Professional, . [Details]
(2012)'The link between metabolic syndrome and post menopausal breast cancer'
Cushen S & Ryan AM (2012) 'The link between metabolic syndrome and post menopausal breast cancer' Cancer Professional, . [Details]

Conference Publications

 YearPublication
(2020)The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society
Samantha J Cushen, Erin Stella Sullivan, Tracey Kelly, Louise E Daly, Éadaoin B Ní Bhuachalla, Ken Howick, Harriët Schellekens, John F Cryan, Brendan T Griffin, Darren Dahly, Aoife M Ryan (2020) A phase 1, single-blind, placebo-controlled, 3-arm cross-over trial assessing the appetite enhancing effects of potentially ghrelinergic dairy-derived peptides The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society [Details]

Published Reports

 YearPublication
(2018)A Concise Overview of the European Dietetic Action Plan; A Commitment by the European Federation of Association of Dietitians to Take Actions that will Improve Health for All Through Sustainable Food and Nutrition.
Van Ginkel-Res, A., S. J. Cushen, J. Liddell, and A. de Looy (2018) A Concise Overview of the European Dietetic Action Plan; A Commitment by the European Federation of Association of Dietitians to Take Actions that will Improve Health for All Through Sustainable Food and Nutrition. ANNALS OF NUTRITION AND METABOLISM, Switzerland. [Details]

Articles

 YearPublication
(2019)Are dietitians making a difference? A concise overview of the European Dietetic Action Plan.
Samantha Cushen (2019) Are dietitians making a difference? A concise overview of the European Dietetic Action Plan. Articles [Details]

Professional Activities

Honours and Awards

 YearTitleAwarding Body
2015Oral presentation award Irish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
2015Travel Bursary in Medical Oncology Irish Society of Medical Oncology (ISMO)
2015Oral presentation award The Nutrition Society
2014Travel Bursary The Nutrition Society
2014Travel Bursary in Medical Oncology Irish Society of Medical Oncology (ISMO)
2014Travel Bursary Award European Society Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition (ESPEN)
2014Best Proffered Oral Presentation Award Irish Cancer Society
2014Best Poster Award 9th International Cancer Conference
2013Oral presentation award Irish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
2013Travel Bursary Award European Society Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition (ESPEN)
2013Research Poster Award Irish Nutrition & Dietetic Institute (INDI)
2012Malnutrition Bursary Award Irish Nutrition & Dietetic Institute (INDI)
2006Final year thesis scholarship Karloinska Institute Sweden & Dublin Institute of Technology

Professional Associations

 AssociationFunctionFrom / To
CORU Registered Dietitian no. DI 020091/
The Nutrition Society Member/
Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute Member (number 1130)/
The European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians (EFAD) Project Manager01-SEP-17 / 31-JAN-19

Conference Contributions

 YearPublication
(2017)Astellas Nurses Education meeting,
Cushen SJ (2017) Nutrition and Prostate Cancer: an updated review. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Astellas Nurses Education meeting, Dublin . [Details]
(2016)Irish Association for Cancer Research,
Daly L, Cushen S, Ni Bhuachalla E, O’Reilly S, Dwyer F, McEneaney P, O’Suilleabhain CB, Power DG, Ryan AM. (2016) Sarcopenia, Myosteatosis & weight loss: Negative prognostic indicators in patients with foregut cancers. [Poster Presentation], Irish Association for Cancer Research, Dublin . [Details]
(2016)INDI Research Symposium,
Power D, Daly L, O'Reilly A, Cushen S, Donnellan P, Twomey M, Woodlock D, Ryan A. (2016) The impact of body composition parameters on ipilimumab toxicity in metastatic melanoma; the prevalence of sarcopenia increases during treatment. [Poster Presentation], INDI Research Symposium, Dublin . [Details]
(2016)INDI Research Symposium,
Ní Bhuachalla E, Daly L, Cushen S, Power D, McEneaney P, Ryan A (2016) Malnutrition in 746 Irish cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: Prevalence, identification and impact on patient survival. [Poster Presentation], INDI Research Symposium, Dublin . [Details]
(2016)INDI Research Symposium,
Daly L, Cushen S, Ni Bhuachalla E, O’Reilly S, Dwyer F, McEneaney P, O’Suilleabhain CB, Power DG, Ryan AM. (2016) Sarcopenia, Myosteatosis & weight loss: Negative prognostic indicators in patients with foregut cancers. [Poster Presentation], INDI Research Symposium, Dublin . [Details]
(2015)The Nutrition Society Summer Meeting,
Cushen SJ, Power DG, McDermott R, O’Sullivan K, McEneaney P, Daly L, Ryan AM. (2015) Body composition as a predictor of chemotherapy toxicity in patients with metastatic prostate cancer treated with docetaxel. [Poster Presentation], The Nutrition Society Summer Meeting, Cork . [Details]
(2015)Irish Society of Medical Oncology (ISMO),
Cushen SJ, Power DG, Murphy KP, McDermott R, Lim M, Griffin BT, Daly L, McEneaney P O’Sullivan K, Ryan AM. (2015) Body composition as a predictor of chemotherapy toxicity in patients with metastatic prostate cancer treated with docetaxel. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Irish Society of Medical Oncology (ISMO), Dublin . [Details]
(2015)Irish Society of Medical Oncology (ISMO),
Cushen SJ, Power DG , McEneaney P , Ni Bhuachalla E, Daly L, Ryan AM. (2015) A prospective investigation of nutritional status in 432 Irish cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: prevalence of malnutrition, cachexia, sarcopenia and impact on quality of life. [Oral Presentation], Irish Society of Medical Oncology (ISMO), Dublin . [Details]
(2015)Irish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (IrSPEN) annual scientific meeting,
Cushen SJ, Power DG, McEneaney P, Bhuachalla E, Daly L, Ryan AM (2015) A prospective investigation of nutritional status in 517 Irish cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: prevalence of malnutrition, cachexia, sarcopenia and impact on quality of life. [Oral Presentation], Irish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (IrSPEN) annual scientific meeting, Dublin . [Details]
(2015)Nutrition Society Summer meeting,
Cushen SJ, Power DG , McEneaney P, Daly L, Ryan AM (2015) A prospective investigation of 517 Irish Oncology outpatients: prevalence of malnutrition, cachexia, sarcopenia and impact on quality of life. [Oral Presentation], Nutrition Society Summer meeting, Cork . [Details]
(2015)Irish Geriatric Oncology Meeting,
Cushen SJ (2015) Understanding Nutritional Issues in the Older Person with Cancer. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Irish Geriatric Oncology Meeting, Dublin . [Details]
(2014)Pancreatic Society of Great Britian and Ireland,
Cushen SJ (2014) Assessment of Lean Body Mass in Oncology Using CT Scans. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Pancreatic Society of Great Britian and Ireland, London . [Details]
(2014)Irish Cancer Society Annual Scientific Meeting,
Cushen SJ, Power DG , McEneaney P, Daly L, Ryan AM. (2014) Prevalence of malnutrition, cachexia and sarcopenia in oncology; our experience in 432 Irish cancer outpatients undergoing chemotherapy. [Oral Presentation], Irish Cancer Society Annual Scientific Meeting, Dublin . [Details]
(2014)Nutricia dietetic meeting, Advances in Nutrition - Moving Forward in a Changing Environment,
Cushen SJ (2014) Assessment of Lean Body Mass in Oncology Using CT Scans. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Nutricia dietetic meeting, Advances in Nutrition - Moving Forward in a Changing Environment, Dublin . [Details]
(2014)European Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ESPEN),
Cushen SJ, Power DG, McDermot R, O’Sullivan K, Maceneaney P, Daly L, Ryan AM. (2014) Body composition by computed tomography as a predictor of toxicity to docetaxel chemotherapy in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. [Oral Presentation], European Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ESPEN), Geneva, Switzerland . [Details]
(2014)Irish Society of Medical Oncology (ISMO),
Cushen SJ, Power DG, Teo MY, Mceneaney P, McDermott R, Ryan AM (2014) Effect of sarcopenia on toxicity in patients treated with sunitinib. [Oral Presentation], Irish Society of Medical Oncology (ISMO), Dublin . [Details]
(2014)Nutrition Society Winter Meeting,
Cushen SJ, Power DG, McDermott R, O’Sullivan K, McEneaney P, Daly L, Ryan AM (2014) Body composition as a predictor of chemotherapy toxicity in patients with metastatic prostate cancer treated with docetaxel. [Oral Presentation], Nutrition Society Winter Meeting, London . [Details]
(2013)European Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ESPEN),
Cushen SJ, Power DG, Teo MY, Mceneaney P, McDermott R, Ryan AM (2013) Body composition as a predictor of dose limiting chemotherapy toxicity in patients with renal cell carcinoma. [Oral Presentation], European Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ESPEN), Leipzig, Germany . [Details]
(2013)Irish Association for Nurses in Oncology (IANO) annual meeting,
Cushen SJ (2013) Nutritional management following a cancer diagnosis; new findings and future directions. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Irish Association for Nurses in Oncology (IANO) annual meeting, Kilkenny . [Details]
(2013)Irish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (IrSPEN),
Cushen SJ, Power DG, Teo MY, Mceneaney P, McDermott R, Ryan AM (2013) Body composition by computed tomography scan as a predictor of chemotherapy toxicity in patients with renal cell carcinoma. [Oral Presentation], Irish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (IrSPEN), Dublin . [Details]
(2013)Catering Management Association of Ireland (CMAI) meeting,
Cushen SJ (2013) Making a meal of Health. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Catering Management Association of Ireland (CMAI) meeting, Dublin . [Details]
(2012)Irish Cancer Society conference,
Cushen SJ (2012) Supporting people with bowel cancer. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Irish Cancer Society conference, Dublin . [Details]

Committees

 CommitteeFunctionFrom / To
Graduate Studies Committee Member2021 /
School Research Committee Member2021 /

Employment

 EmployerPositionFrom / To
University College Dublin Practice Tutor/ Special Lecturer01-MAR-16 / 13-OCT-17
University College Cork Post Doctoral Researcher, Senior Dietitian01-MAR-15 / 01-MAR-17
University College Cork Post Graduate Researcher in Nutritional Sciences, PhD candidate01-JAN-12 / 01-MAR-15
Children’s University Hospital, Dublin Senior Paediatric Dietitian01-MAY-11 / 01-JAN-12
Kings College Hospital, London Catering Dietitian Manager01-JAN-10 / 01-JAN-11
Beacon Renal Unit, Beacon Hospital, Dublin Senior Renal Dietitian01-DEC-10 / 01-JAN-12
The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Senior Dietitian01-NOV-08 / 01-SEP-09
The Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin Dietitian01-JUN-07 / 01-AUG-08
Peamount Hospital, Newcastle, Dublin Dietitian01-MAR-07 / 01-JUN-07

Education

 YearInstitutionQualificationSubject
2019University College Cork Postgraduate CertificateTeaching and Learning in Higher Education
2015University College Cork PhDNutrition
2006Trinity College Dublin BScHuman Nutrition & Dietetics
2006Dublin Institute of Technology DiplomaHuman Nutrition and Dietetics

Outreach Activities

 Description

Speaker on nutritional issues for Breakthrough Cancer Research since 2017

UCC Student Dietitian Podcast

Speaker on nutritional issues for Cork ARC Cancer Support House house

Journal Activities

 JournalRoleTo / From
Journal Of Cachexia, Sarcopenia And Muscle Peer Reviewer-
Nutrients Peer Reviewer-
Journal Of Human Nutrition And Dietetics : The Official Journal Of The British Dietetic Association Peer Reviewer-
Journal Of Urology Peer Reviewer-

Other Activities

 Description

OSIRIX for Body Composition Analysis

https://youtu.be/s1eJSK_CWco

Teaching Activities

Teaching Interests

MSc Human Nutrition & Dietetics
DT6002 Nutritional Assessment in the Clinical Setting
DT6014 Dietetics Through the Lifecycle
DT6006 Professional Practice and Interpersonal Skills
DT6007 Public Health Nutrition
DT6013 Research Dissertation in Dietetics
DT6009 Clinical Practice Placement 1
DT6011 Clinical Practice Placement 2
DT6012 Clinical Practice Placement 3
DT6003 Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy
DT6004 Food Skills and Food Service Management

BSc Nutritional Sciences & PG Dip Nutritional Sciences
NT3001 Clinical Nutrition
NT3002 Food Toxicology
NT3014 Assessment of Nutritional Status
NT4006 Research Project
NU2032 Food, Nutrition & Health for Nursing Practice


Recent Postgraduates

 Graduation YearStudent NameInstitutionDegree TypeThesis Title
2026Katie Johnston University College CorkPHD

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