Doctor Stefania Penkala

Doctor Stefania Penkala

Adjunct Fellow,
Dean's Unit, School of Health Sciences

Senior Lecturer,
Podiatric Medicine

Biography

Qualifications

  • PhD University of Sydney
  • DipHlthSc(Pod) NSW College of TAFE
  • BEd(Adult) University of Technology, Sydney

Professional Memberships

  • Feldenkrais Guild (2005 - 2020)
  • Translational Health Research Institute (THRI) (2019 - 2020)
  • Sports Medicine Australia (2005 - 2020)
  • APHRA (2005 - 2020)

Interests

  • musculoskeletal rehabilitation
  • 3D printing and anatomy education
  • Healthy Aging across the lifespan_balance, motor control, fall risk
  • Work Based Placement
  • Workplace Health, Wellness, Disability and Chronic Illness

Organisational Unit (School / Division)

  • Dean's Unit, School of Health Sciences
  • Podiatric Medicine

Contact

Email: S.Penkala@westernsydney.edu.au
Phone: (02) 4620 3742
Mobile:
Location: 24.2.58
CampbelltownCampbelltown

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Teaching

Previous Teaching Areas

  • 400932 Podiatric Practice 4, 2020
  • 400943 Podiatric Clinical Block for Honours Students, 2020
  • 401115 Podiatric Paediatrics and Sports Medicine, 2020

Publications

Journal Articles

  • Tang, C., Thyer, L., Bye, R., Kenny, B., Tulliani, N., Peel, N., Gordon, R., Penkala, S., Tannous, C., Sun, Y. and Dark, L. (2023), 'Impact of online learning on sense of belonging among first year clinical health students during COVID-19 : student and academic perspectives', BMC Medical Education, vol 23, no 1 .
  • Burgess, A., Hawkins, J., Kostovski, C., Kennedy, M., Penkala, S. and Duncanson, K. (2023), 'Aboriginal people's perceptions of patient-reported outcome measures in the assessment of diabetes health-related quality of life', Australian Journal of Primary Health, vol 29, no 2 , pp 165 - 174.
  • Boman, R., Penkala, S., Chan, R., Joshua, F. and Cheung, T. (2023), 'Reliability of ultrasound imaging in examining integrity and inflammation in the dorsalis pedis artery', Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, vol 49, no 9 , pp 2199 - 2202.
  • Morabito, J., Penkala, S. and Coxon, K. (2021), 'Workplace musculoskeletal problems in occupational therapy students', BMC Public Health, vol 21, no 1 .
  • Wan Yunus, F., Bissett, M., Penkala, S., Kadar, M. and Liu, K. (2021), 'Self-regulated learning versus activity-based intervention to reduce challenging behaviors and enhance school-related function for children with autism spectrum disorders : a randomized controlled trial', Research in Developmental Disabilities, vol 114 .
  • Wan Yunus, F., Bissett, M., Penkala, S., Romli, M. and Liu, K. (2020), 'Advisory panel review on the feasibility of three intervention programmes for children with autism spectrum disorder', Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, vol 16, no 2 , pp 43 - 51.
  • Nash, J., Armour, M. and Penkala, S. (2019), 'Acupuncture for the treatment of lower limb diabetic peripheral neuropathy : a systematic review', Acupuncture in Medicine, vol 37, no 1 , pp 3 - 15.
  • Wan Yunus, F., Bissett, M., Penkala, S., Kadar, M. and Liu, K. (2018), 'Malaysian parents' feedback on three proxy-rated assessments used in pediatric rehabilitation', Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, vol 18, no 1 , pp 64 - 69.
  • Shabanivaraki, E., Gargiulo, G., Penkala, S. and Breen, P. (2018), 'Peripheral vascular disease assessment in the lower limb : a review of current and emerging non-invasive diagnostic methods', BioMedical Engineering OnLine, vol 17, no 1 .
  • Penkala, S., El-Debal, H. and Coxon, K. (2018), 'Work-related musculoskeletal problems related to laboratory training in university medical science students : a cross sectional survey', BMC Public Health, vol 18, no 1 .
  • Williams, C., Penkala, S., Smith, P., Haines, T. and Bowles, K. (2017), 'Exploring musculoskeletal injuries in the podiatry profession : an international cross sectional study', Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, vol 10, no 1 .
  • Wan Yunus, F., Liu, K., Bissett, M. and Penkala, S. (2015), 'Sensory-based intervention for children with behavioral problems : a systematic review', Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, vol 45, no 11 , pp 3565 - 3579.
  • Plusch, D., Penkala, S., Dickson, H. and Malone, M. (2015), 'Primary care referral to multidisciplinary high risk foot services : too few, too late', Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, vol 8, no 1 .
  • Burns, A., Bowman, J. and Penkala, S. (2014), 'Green exercise for people with acute mental distress : a review of the literature', International Journal of Health, Wellness and Society, vol 3, no 3 , pp 85 - 97.
  • Perkes, S., Bowman, J. and Penkala, S. (2014), 'Psychological therapies for the management of co-morbid depression following a spinal cord injury : a systematic review', Journal of Health Psychology, .
  • Lien, N., Steel, K., Graham, K., Graham, K., Penkala, S., Quinn, J., Dogramaci, S. and Moresi, M. (2014), 'What is the effect of compression garments on a novel kick accuracy task?', International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, vol 9, no 2 , pp 357 - 365.
  • Penkala, S. (2012), 'Health literacy : implications for shoe choices promoting foot health in children', International Journal of Health, Wellness and Society, vol 1, no 4 , pp 87 - 97.
  • Wegener, C., Burns, J. and Penkala, S. (2008), 'Effect of neutral-cushioned running shoes on plantar pressure loading and comfort in athletes with cavus feet', American Journal of Sports Medicine, vol 36, no 11 , pp 2139 - 2146.
  • Hennessy, K., Burns, J. and Penkala, S. (2007), 'Reducing plantar pressure in rheumatoid arthritis: A comparison of running versus off-the-shelf orthopaedic footwear', Clinical Biomechanics, vol 22, no 8 , pp 917 - 923.

Conference Papers

  • Tang, C., Thyer, E., Bye, R., Tannous, C., Kenny, B., Penkala, S., Tulliani, N., Peel, N., Sun, Y., Zhu, X., Dark, L. and Gordon, R. (2021), 'The impact of COVID online learning on first year clinical health students' sense of belonging : student and academic perspectives', Students Transitions Achievement Retention and Success Conference, online.
  • Famakinwa, T., Dayal, M. and Penkala, S. (2016), 'Engineering a novel anatomical foot model for anatomy education', International Conference on Engineering Education and Research, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, N.S.W..
  • Steel, K., Lien, N., Penkala, S. and Graham, K. (2012), 'The effect of wearing of long leg compression garments on the kick accuracy of pre-elite Australian Football League players?', Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, USA.
  • Duck, L., Zhu, X., Penkala, S. and Maeder, A. (2010), 'Strategies to enhance computer assisted differential diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine for coronary heart disease : validity and standardisation of a diagnostic instrument', 2010 IEEE International Conference on Bioinformatics and Biomedicine Workshops, Hong Kong.

Previous Projects

Title: Effect of a workplace mindful movement Feldenkrais program on psychosocial health, functional fitness and ergonomics: A randomised controlled trial
Funder:
  • Australian Feldenkrais Guild (QLD Division) Inc
Western Researchers: Stefania Penkala
Years: 2012-06-20 - 2017-03-31
ID: P00020634
Title: Enhanced Sensory Perception via Jitter Reduction and Neural Synchronisation Evoked by Subsensory Electrical Noise Stimulation - Restoring Sensitivity in Peripheral Neuropathy
Funder:
  • National Health and Medical Research Council (ACRG)
Western Researchers: Paul Breen and Stefania Penkala
Years: 2014-01-01 - 2018-06-30
ID: P00021569
Title: Mobile plantar pressure system
Funder:
  • University of Western Sydney
Western Researchers: Joshua Burns, Karl Landorf and Stefania Penkala
Years: 2004-06-01 - 2005-05-31
ID: P0011406
Title: Growing The Future Podiatry Workforce for NSW: Embedded Student Clinics
Funder:
  • Sydney Local Health District
Western Researchers: Stefania Penkala
Years: 2015-10-01 - 2016-04-06
ID: P00024396
Title: The efficacy of preventative stretching programs for adolescents with diabetes mellitus to address the risk factors of foot ulcerations: Limited joint range of motion and high plantar pressures
Funder:
  • University of Western Sydney
Western Researchers: Stefania Penkala and Julia Bowman
Years: 2010-11-02 - 2013-03-29
ID: P00019253
Title: Alternative ultrasound imaging technique and an automated image processing algorithm for the early detection of rheumatoid vasculitis
Funder:
  • Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine
Western Researchers: Roy Cheung, Stefania Penkala and Robyn Boman
Years: 2023-01-01 - 2023-12-31
ID: P00028316

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