Researcher biography
Dr Nienke Zomerdijk is a Research Fellow in the Implementing Research for Equitable Access and Care in Health (IREACH) team at the Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland. Her work focuses on psycho-oncology, with expertise in the psychosocial aspects of cancer, treatment decision-making, and improving equitable cancer care. Prior to joining UQ, Nienke held a joint appointment with the University of Melbourne and the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance (2019–2023), contributing to both teaching and research. She led a national study on the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on haematology patients and healthcare providers, which informed international policy statements, supported funding for online support services, and was featured in ABC's Big Ideas. Nienke has served on national advisory groups, including the Psycho-oncology Cooperative Research Group and National Blood Cancer Optimal Care Pathways Working Groups. Her work has been recognised with multiple awards and has resulted in more than 20 peer-reviewed publications. She is currently completing a Master of Social Work, reflecting her commitment to integrating research, clinical practice, and person-centred care in cancer.
Book Chapter
Zomerdijk, Nienke and Turner, Jane (2021). Psychological issues and care of cancer survivors. Survivorship Care for Cancer Patients: A Clinician’s Handbook. (pp. 345-370) edited by Stefan Rauh. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-78648-9_17
Journal Articles
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Janda, Monika, Mulcahy, Ella, Baxter, Eva and Roberts, Natasha (2026). Women’s lived experiences of being diagnosed with early-stage endometrial cancer and making treatment decisions: a systematic review and thematic synthesis. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, 36 (6) 104687, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.ijgc.2026.104687
Hemming, L., Duijts, S. F.A., Zomerdijk, N., Cockburn, C., Yuen, E., Hardman, R., Van Vuuren, J., Farrugia, T., Wilson, C. and Spelten, E. (2024). A systematic review of peer support interventions to improve psychosocial functioning among cancer survivors: Can findings be translated to survivors with a rare cancer living rurally?. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases, 19 (1) 473, 1-13. doi: 10.1186/s13023-024-03477-3
Cooper, Claire, Gilchrist, Jemma, Beatty, Lisa, Kirsten, Laura, Sharpe, Louise, Zomerdijk, Nienke, Grier, Maree, Turner, Jane, Hobbs, Kim, Haydon, Helen M., Dhillon, Haryana, Kelly, Brian and Shaw, Joanne (2024). Development of psycho-oncology telehealth guidelines: a modified Delphi consensus study. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research and Practice, 6 (1) 123. doi: 10.1097/or9.0000000000000123
Ongko, Emily, Philip, Jennifer and Zomerdijk, Nienke (2024). Perspectives in preparedness of family caregivers of patients with cancer providing end-of-life care in the home: a narrative review of qualitative studies. Palliative and Supportive Care, 22 (6), 2125-2135. doi: 10.1017/s1478951523001013
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Jongenelis, Michelle I., Collins, Ben, Short, Camille E., Huntley, Kathryn, Smith, Andrew and Turner, Jane (2023). The lived experiences of hematology healthcare providers during and beyond the COVID‐19 crisis: a qualitative study. Psycho-Oncology, 32 (12), 1939-1947. doi: 10.1002/pon.6250
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Bryant, Christina and Beatty, Lisa (2023). Enabling psychologists to address the psychological consequences of cancer. Australian Psychologist, 58 (6), 401-410. doi: 10.1080/00050067.2023.2225693
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Jongenelis, Michelle I., Collins, Ben, Turner, Jane, Short, Camille E., Smith, Andrew and Huntley, Kathryn (2023). Factors associated with changes in healthy lifestyle behaviors among hematological cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 14 1081397, 1-8. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1081397
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Turner, Jane, Gottlieb, David, Barnes, Annette, Butler, Jason P., Markey, Kate A. and Hill, Geoffrey R. (2023). Supporting family members requested to donate hematopoietic stem cells to a relative: development and pilot testing of a psycho-educational resource. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research & Practice, 5 (1), 1-7. doi: 10.1097/or9.0000000000000095
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Panozzo, Stacey, Mileshkin, Linda, Yoong, Jaclyn, Nowak, Anna K., Stockler, Martin R. and Philip, Jennifer (2022). Palliative care facilitates the preparedness of caregivers for thoracic cancer patients. European Journal of Cancer Care, 31 (6) e13716, e13716. doi: 10.1111/ecc.13716
Zomerdijk, Nienke, I Jongenelis, Michelle, Turner, Jane, Huntley, Kathryn, Smith, Andrew and Short, Camille E. (2022). Telehealth access among hematology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: a cross-sectional survey. Leukemia and Lymphoma, 63 (6), 1-4. doi: 10.1080/10428194.2021.2023743
Sansom-Daly, Ursula M., Lobb, Elizabeth A., Evans, Holly E., Breen, Lauren J., Ugalde, Anna, Best, Megan, Zomerdijk, Nienke, Beasley, Elizabeth A., Taylor, Keryn L., Clayton, Josephine, Sharpe, Louise, Bartula, Iris and Olver, Ian (2021). To be mortal is human: Professional consensus around the need for more psychology in palliative care. BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care, 11 (4), 401-403. doi: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2021-002884
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Jongenelis, Michelle, Yuen, Eva, Turner, Jane, Huntley, Kathryn, Smith, Andrew, McIntosh, Megan and Short, Camille E. (2021). Experiences and needs of people with haematological cancers during the COVID‐19 pandemic: a qualitative study. Psycho-Oncology, 31 (3) pon.5819, 416-424. doi: 10.1002/pon.5819
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Jongenelis, Michelle, Short, Camille E., Smith, Andrew, Turner, Jane and Huntley, Kathryn (2021). Prevalence and correlates of psychological distress, unmet supportive care needs, and fear of cancer recurrence among haematological cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Supportive Care in Cancer, 29 (12), 7755-7764. doi: 10.1007/s00520-021-06369-5
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Turner, Jane, Hill, Geoffrey R. and Gottlieb, David (2020). Experiences and unmet needs of family members requested to donate haematopoietic stem cells to an ill relative: findings from a prospective multi-centre study. Supportive Care in Cancer, 29 (2), 635-644. doi: 10.1007/s00520-020-05520-y
Goris, Janny M., Temple, Victor J., Sumbis, Joan, Zomerdijk, Nienke and Codling, Karen (2019). Iodine status of non-pregnant women and availability of food vehicles for fortification with iodine in a remote community in Gulf province, Papua New Guinea. PLoS One, 14 (11) e0224229, e0224229. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224229
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Turner, Jane, Hill, Geoffrey R. and Gottlieb, David (2019). Adult related haematopoietic stem cell donor care: views of transplant nurses. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 41, 56-63. doi: 10.1016/j.ejon.2019.05.012
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Turner, Jane M. and Hill, Geoffrey R. (2019). Adult-related haematopoietic stem cell donor experiences and the provision of information and psychosocial support: a systematic literature review. European Journal of Cancer Care, 28 (3) e12932, 1-15. doi: 10.1111/ecc.12932
Zhang, Ping, Raju, Jyothy, Ullah, Md Ashik, Au, Raymond, Varelias, Antiopi, Gartlan, Kate H, Olver, Stuart D., Samson, Luke D., Sturgeon, Elise, Zomerdijk, Nienke, Avery, Judy, Gargett, Tessa, Brown, Michael P., Coin, Lachlan J., Ganesamoorthy, Devika, Hutchins, Cheryl, Pratt, Gary R, Kennedy, Glen A., Morton, A. James, Curley, Cameron I., Hill, Geoffrey R. and Tey, Siok-Keen (2019). Phase I trial of inducible caspase 9 T cells in adult stem cell transplant demonstrates massive clonotypic proliferative potential and long-term persistence of transgenic T cells. Clinical Cancer Research, 25 (6), 1749-1755. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-18-3069
Goris, Janny M., Temple, Victor J., Zomerdijk, Nienke and Codling, Karen (2018). Iodine status of children and knowledge, attitude, practice of iodised salt use in a remote community in Kerema district, Gulf province, Papua New Guinea. PLoS One, 13 (11) e0197647, e0197647. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197647
Wilkinson, Andrew N., Gartlan, Kate H., Kelly, Greg, Samson, Luke D., Olver, Stuart D., Avery, Judy, Zomerdijk, Nienke, Tey, Siok-Keen, Lee, Jason S., Vuckovic, Slavica and Hill, Geoffrey R. (2018). Granulocytes are unresponsive to IL-6 due to an absence of gp130. Journal of Immunology, 200 (9), 3547-3555. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1701191
Catchpoole, Elizabeth M., Thirunavukarasu, Caitlin E., Varelias, Antiopi, Schlebusch, Sanmarié, Olver, Stuart, Zomerdijk, Nienke, Osland, Emma, Kennedy, Glen A., Tey, Siok-Keen, Hill, Geoffrey R. and Markey, Kate A. (2018). Early blood stream infection after BMT is associated with cytokine dysregulation and poor overall survival. Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, 24 (7), 1360-1366. doi: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2018.02.025
Goris, Janny M., Zomerdijk, Nienke and Temple, Victor J. (2017). Nutritional status and dietary diversity of Kamea in Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 26 (4), 665-670. doi: 10.6133/apjcn.052016.09
Conference Papers
Spelten, Evelien, Duijts, Saskia, Hemming, Laura, Farrugia, Tamsin, Yuen, Eva, Cockburn, Christine, Zomerdijk, Nienke, Veresova, Maria and Wilson, Carlene (2025). Rare and rural: how to increase equity in access to supportive cancer care for people with a rare cancer living rurally. COSA's 52nd Annual Scientific Meeting 2025, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 11 - 14 November 2025. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.
Cooper, Claire, Gilchrist, Jemma, Beatty, Lisa, Kirsten, Laura, Sharpe, Louise, Zomerdijk, Nienke, Grier, Maree, Turner, Jane, Hobbs, Kim, Haydon, Helen, Dhillon, Haryana, Kelly, Brian and Shaw, Joanne (2022). Development of psycho-oncology telehealth recommendations: A Delphi consensus study. HOBOKEN: WILEY.
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Turner, Jane, Hill, Geoffrey and Gottlieb, David (2018). Being a Stem Cell Donor for a Chronically-ill Family Member: Results from an Australian Multicenter Study. 20th World Congress of Psycho‐Oncology, Hong Kong, 29 October-2 November 2018. Oxford, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/pon.4878
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Turner, Jane, Hill, Geoffrey and Gottlieb, David (2018). Predictors of Negative Psychosocial Outcomes Among Adult Related Stem Cell Donors - An Australian Multicenter Study. 20th World Congress of Psycho‐Oncology, Hong Kong, 29 October-2 November 2018. Oxford, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/pon.4878
Zomerdijk, Nienke, Turner, Jane, Hill, Geoff, Gottlieb, David, Ungerer, Jacobus and Barnes, Annette (2016). The Psychosocial Impact of Donating Haematopoietic Stem Cells on Adult Sibling Donors. *, *, *. Oxford, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons.
Thesis
Zomerdijk, Nienke (2019). The psychosocial impact of haematopoietic stem cell donation on adult related donors. PhD Thesis, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2020.9