Dr Matthew Wallen

Senior Lecturer

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

place Bedford Park
GPO Box 2100, ADELAIDE, SA, 5001

Dr Matthew Wallen PhD, AES, AEP is a Senior Research Fellow in Cancer Survivorship, the Deputy Lead of the Cancer Survivorship Program, and a Senior Lecturer in Exercise Science and Clinical Exercise Physiology within the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Flinders University.

His clinical interest focuses on improving outcomes for people living with and beyond cancer, as well as solid organ transplant candidates and recipients. Specifically, Dr Wallen's research examines:

(1) lifestyle interventions, including exercise, nutritional, and psychological support to improve the health and wellbeing of people prior to surgery, termed ‘prehabilitation’,

(2) novel physical function assessments aimed at identifying people at risk of treatment-related complications, and

(3) implementation of new models of care.

Since graduating from his PhD in 2017, Dr Wallen has published over 55 peer-reviewed articles, including international guidelines and position statements in cancer care and lifestyle-related conditions, in high-impact international journals such as CA: a Journal for Clinicians and The Lancet’s eClinicalMedicine. He has attracted > $11 million AUD in research income and has supervised research projects for 7 PhD students (1 completed, 6 on-going), 21 Master’s students (completed), and 3 Honours students (completed).

Dr Wallen is the Course Coordinator for the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology at Flinders University, and is a member of the Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) Research Committee and South Australian State Chapter.

Qualifications

The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia

PhD in Clinical Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Health and Behavoural Sciences

The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia

Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science (Clinical Exercise Physiology) with Honours (Class 1)

Honours, awards and grants

2024 - South Australian Tall Poppy Award - Australian Institute of Policy & Science

2023 - Vice-President & Executive Dean's Award for Research (Mid-career Researcher) - Flinders University

2021 - Vice-President & Executive Dean's Award for Education - Flinders University

2020 - Research Award for the School of Science, Psychology and Sport - Federation University Australia.

2019 - Vice Chancellor’s Award for Early Career Research - Federation University Australia.

2013 & 2014 - Teaching Excellence Award - The University of Queensland.

2012 - Patrick Cuskelly Memorial Prize - The University of Queensland.

2009-2012 - Dean’s Commendation for High Academic Achievement - The University of Queensland.

Topic coordinator
EXSC9003A Exercise Management in Special Populations (Practicum A)
EXSC8001 Clinical Exercise Assessment and Prescription
EXSC9002B Exercise and Metabolic Cardiopulmonary Conditions (Practicum B)
EXSC9002A Exercise and Metabolic Cardiopulmonary Conditions (Practicum A)
Topic lecturer
EXSC9002A Exercise and Metabolic Cardiopulmonary Conditions (Practicum A)
EXSC8001 Clinical Exercise Assessment and Prescription
EXSC8004 Exercise and Chronic Disease Management
EXSC9003A Exercise Management in Special Populations (Practicum A)
REHB9034 Clinical Research Methods
EXSC9002B Exercise and Metabolic Cardiopulmonary Conditions (Practicum B)
Expert for media contact
Health/Medicine
Exercise is Medicine
Exercise Oncology
Prehabilitation
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Media expertise
  • Health/Medicine
Interests
  • Exercise is Medicine
  • Exercise Oncology
  • Prehabilitation