Doctor Shaimaa Atwa
Adjunct Fellow,
Dean's Unit, School of Education
Biography
Dr. Atwa completed a Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours in Biotechnology) from the University of New South Wales in 2002. In 2006, She then completed a Ph.D. in Molecular Bone Physiology using quantitative methodologies, from the University of Sydney. Dr. Atwa held a lecturer position in the School of Medicine at the University of Sydney and University of New South Wales and later held a position in the School of Nursing at the Australian Catholic University in 2007. In 2014, Dr. Atwa completed a Bachelor of Teaching (secondary education) from the School of Education at Charles Sturt University. She currently teaches for the School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University and is involved in its Learning and Teaching Working Group. She also has a teaching-focused position at The College at Western Sydney University.
Dr. Atwa has co-authored several publications and was successful in attaining several internal awards from the University of Sydney and external grants from industry bodies including Osteoporosis Australia, Citracal, NHMRC and Australia & New Zealand Bone & Mineral Society. She has recently (2017) been awarded a ‘Women’s fellowship’ from the University of Western Sydney.
Dr. Atwa’s current research interest is in enhancing student engagement and motivation to learning and student retention at tertiary level. The research uses mixed method methodologies to evaluate the effectiveness of transition curriculum and pedagogy designs on students’ learning to enhance equity and to widen students' participation.
This information has been contributed by Doctor Atwa.
Qualifications
- BTeach(Sec) Charles Sturt University
- PHd University of Sydney
- BMedSc University of New South Wales
Professional Memberships
- Member of the Australian Association for Research in Education (2016 - 2016)
Interests
- Pedagogical Approach to Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
- Pedagogy, Technology Integration, Teacher Professional Learning
- Youth Studies and Socio-cultural Diversity
- Youth and Identity
- Youth in Transition
Organisational Unit (School / Division)
- Dean's Unit, School of Education
Contact
| Email: | N/A |
|---|---|
| Phone: | |
| Mobile: | |
| Location: | Campbelltown |
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Teaching
Previous Teaching Areas
- 300361 Introduction to Human Biology, 2017
- 400863 Foundations of Research and Evidence-Based Practice, 2017
- 400864 Research Methods (Quantitative and Qualitative), 2017
- 700032 Biodiversity (UWSC), 2010
- 700034 Cell Biology (UWSC), 2017
- 700098 Introduction to Physiology (WSTC), 2017
- 900090 Science for Health Professionals (WSTC), 2010
- 900104 Focus on Biology (WSTC), 2010
Publications
Journal Articles
- Sanagavarapu, P., Abraham, J. and Atwa, S. (2023), 'An insight into students' transition to tertiary or academic pathways programs', Community College Journal of Research and Practice, vol 47, no 7 , pp 461 - 477.
- Atwa, S., Gauci-Mansour, V., Thomson, R. and Hegazi, I. (2019), 'Team-based and case-based learning : a hybrid pedagogy model enhancing students' academic performance and experiences at first-year tertiary level', The Australian Educational Researcher, vol 46, no 1 , pp 93 - 112.
- Brennan, T., Rybchyn, M., Green, W., Atwa, S., Conigrave, A. and Mason, R. (2009), 'Osteoblasts play key roles in the mechanisms of action of strontium ranelate', British Journal of Pharmacology, vol 157, no 7 , pp 1291 - 1300.
- Ismail, F., Rohanizadeh, R., Atwa, S., Mason, R., Ruys, A., Martin, P. and Bendavid, A. (2007), 'The influence of surface chemistry and topography on the contact guidance of MG63 osteoblast cells', Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine, vol 18, no 5 , pp 705 - 714.
- Foster, L., Catzel, D., Atwa, S., Zarka, M. and Mahler, S. (2003), 'Increase in synthesis of human monoclonal antibodies by transfected Sp2/0 myeloma mouse cell line under conditions of microgravity', Biotechnology Letters, vol 25, no 15 , pp 1271 - 1274.
Conference Papers
- Atwa, S., O'Connor, E. and Hegazi, I. (2019), 'Threshold concept-based transition pedagogy in pathway programs supporting students' transition into allied health degrees', An International Association for Medical Education. Annual Conference, Vienna, Austria.
- Atwa, S., Gauci-Mansour, V., Thomson, R. and Hegazi, I. (2018), 'Team-based and case-based learning, a hybrid pedagogy model enhancing students' academic performance and experiences at first-year tertiary level', Foundation and Bridging Educators New Zealand Conference, Wellington, N.Z..
- Atwa, S., Mason, G., Holmes, K., Nammi, S. and Hegazi, I. (2018), 'Transition pedagogy and curriculum in an 'en/abling' tertiary program informing regular university curriculum', World Curriculum Studies Conference, Melbourne, Vic..
- Atwa, S., Mason, G., Holmes, K., Nammi, S. and Hegazi, I. (2018), 'Transition pedagogy and curriculum in an extended tertiary program informing regular university curriculum', Foundation and Bridging Educators New Zealand Conference, Wellington, N.Z..
- Atwa, S., Brennan, T., Conigrave, A. and Mason, R. (2006), 'Physiological role of calcium as a bone coupling agent and negative feedback regulator of bone turnover', Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, Philadelphia, Pa..
- Atwa, S., Lewis, N., Brennan, T., Conigrave, A. and Mason, R. (2005), 'Calcium sensing receptor properties in osteoblastic cells', Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society. Annual Scientific Meeting, Perth, W. A..
- Atwa, S., Brennan, T., Conigrave, A. and Mason, R. (2004), 'Controversies in calcium-sensing in bone', Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society. Annual Scientific Meeting, Hunter Valley, N.S.W..
Dr. Atwa's research interests are in:
- Educational analyses of impact measuring tools.
- Enhancing students' equity and widening participation in tertiary education through innovative curriculum and pedagogy design
- Blended & transition pedagogy and curriculum design
- Student engagement in learning in tertiary education
- Student motivation to learn in tertiary education
- Student retention in tertiary education through curriculum and pedagogy design.
Current project·
- Supporting students’ transition to tertiary education through a Threshold Concept-based curriculum.
- Crossing TCs: a mechanism used to elicit academic self-efficacy and positive emotions in non-traditional students in tertiary education.
- Exploring the well-being and transition support needs of college pathway studentsentering the second year of the B Health Science.
- Academic mentoring: An auto- ethnographical approach.
- Why we do not speak about consciousness in education? Raising fundamental questions. (national Collaboration- Swinburne University of Technology)
- Consciousness in education: Could quantum mechanics inform a new paradigm of education? (national Collaboration- Swinburne University of Technology)
Previous Projects
- An innovative student-centered pedagogy: a hybrid between team-based and case-based learning in Science units
- The physiological role of calcium as a bone coupling agent and a negative feedback regulator of bone turnover
- Monitoring cellular growth kinetics and productivity of recombinant SP2/0 myeloma cell line under microgravity environment
This information has been contributed by Doctor Atwa.