photo

Suzy Munns

Projects

1

Publications

36

Awards

6


Contact Details

Associate Professor

    Biography

    A/Prof Suzy Munns is a researcher in Biomedicine at James Cook University (JCU). She leads the Pulmonary Health in The Tropics (PHiTT) Research Group, a collaborative team of researchers from JCU, Townsville University Hospital, and University of Papua New Guinea (PNG), who have wide ranging interests in both human and animal physiology and pathophysiology.

    PHiTT Research primarily focuses on improving early and accurate diagnosis of non-communicable respiratory diseases and improving outcomes for patients and health systems. Current projects involve establishing spirometry reference values for underrepresented populations (e.g. PNG), enhancing adoption and accuracy of best practice spirometry models, and understanding barriers and enablers to spirometry use.

    PHiTT Research also includes developing techniques to enhance wildlife health monitoring and investigating integrated physiological responses to physiological and/or environmental challenges. These studies aim to inform and enhance wildlife management, with particular focus on endangered sea turtles.

    Research

    Research Interests

    • Respiratory Physiology and Medicine
    • Accessibility and quality of lung function testing
    • Sleep Disorder Breathing
    • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
    • Integrated physiological responses in health and disease

    Projects

    Teaching

    Teaching Interests

    Developing research skills in undergraduate students

    Determining the effectiveness of e-learning modalities in terms of assessment performance and student satisfaction

    Developing teaching techniques that scaffold threshold concepts throughout an integrated curriculum


    Research Advisor Accreditation
    Advisor Type

    Primary


    Current JCU Research Students
    Spirometry: Are we doing enough to Assess Breathlessness in TUH Acute Patients
    Master of Philosophy (Medical and Molecular Sciences)
    Completed JCU Research Students
    Bioelectrical impedance analysis for adipose tissue estimation in green turtles Chelonia mydas
    Doctor of Philosophy (Health)- 2022
    Current Honours and External Research Students
    Mobilization of ICU patients on vasoactive medications
    OTHER- 2024
    Completed Honours and External Research Students
    Is the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) an appropriate screening tool for patients with Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB): A retrospective clinical audit.
    OTHER
    Seasonal basking characteristics of the Ross River population of Emydura krefftii
    OTHER
    Assessing the current state and impact of implementing ethnic corrections on pulmonary function testing in Northern Queensland
    HONOURS
    Determining the impact of adopting new normative values for adult lung function testing on disease categorisation in the Townsville Respiratory Laboratory.
    OTHER
    Developing an animal model for behavioural fever in the freshwater turtle Emydure Krefftii
    HONOURS
    Non-invasive measurement of ventilation and metabolism in post hatchling green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) was not influenced by human handling
    OTHER
    Predicting OSA – Can Questionnaires be used to determine presence and severity of disease? A Retrospective Clinical Audit
    OTHER
    The diagnostic yield comparison between 3 and 5 minutes of Hyperventilation conducted during Electroencephalography testing
    OTHER
    Basking Behavior of Krefft’s River Turtle (Emydura macquarii krefftii) in the Ross River, Townsville
    UNDERGRADUATE_PROJECT
    The effect of digestion on metabolic rate in hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata): Implications for release of captive or rehabilitated turtles into the wild
    COURSEWORK_MASTERS
    Basking behaviour: an immune response of Krefft’s freshwater turtle
    UNDERGRADUATE_PROJECT
    Transitioning to Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) spirometry reference ranges in Papua New Guinea impacts on airflow classification and defect severity.
    OTHER
    The effects of using alveolar volume and anatomical dead space as an estimation for total lung capacity
    OTHER
    Biomarkers of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD); Lung Function and Leukocyte Indicators of Disease Progression
    HONOURS

    Activities

    Education
    Awards
    Employment

    Output

    Various authors, Print and online media articles, books and interviews highlighting research carr. [Other] ...
    Other Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Kophamel, Sara; Ward, Leigh C.; Ariel, Ellen; Mendez, Diana; O'Brien, Lauren M.; Burchell, Lauren; M...
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Kophamel, Sara; Ward, Leigh C.; Mendez, Diana; Ariel, Ellen; Bell, Ian; Shum, Edith; Munns, Suzanne ...
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Miller, Dan J.; Noble, Prisca; Medlen, Sue; Jones, Karina; Munns, Suzanne L. (2023) 'Brief Research . The Journal o, 91 (2):401-...
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Kophamel, Sara; Ward, Leigh C.; Konovalov, Dmitry A.; Mendez, Diana; Ariel, Ellen; Cassidy, Nathan; ...
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Kophamel, Sara; Illing, Björn; Ariel, Ellen; Difalco, Morgan; Skerratt, Lee F.; Hamann, Mark; Ward, ...
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Kophamel, Sara; Rudd, Donna; Ward, Leigh C.; Shum, Edith; Ariel, Ellen; Mendez, Diana; Starling, Jem...
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    March, Duane; Ariel, Ellen; Munns, Suzanne; Rudd, Donna; Blyde, David; Christidis, Leslie; Kelaher, ...
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Kearney, Michael R.; Munns, Suzanne L.; Moore, Danae; Malishev, Matthew; Bull, C. Michael (2018) 'Fi. ...
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Cooper, Christine E.; Withers, Philip C.; Munns, Suzanne L.; Geiser, Fritz; Buttemer, William A. (20...
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Andrewartha, Sarah J.; Munns, Suzanne L.; Edwards, Ashley (2016) 'Calibration of the HemoCue point-o. Conservation Physiology, 4 (1):1-6. [DOI] ...
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Munns, Suzanne L.; Edwards, Ashley; Nicol, Stewart; Frappell, Peter B. (2015) 'Pregnancy limits lung. Journal of Experime, 218 (6):931-939. ...
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Munns, Suzanne L. (2013) 'Gestation increases the energetic cost of breathing in the lizard Tiliqua . Journal of Experimental Biology, 216 (2):171-180. [DOI] ...
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Munns, Suzanne L. (2013) 'Does podcasting increase allied health student performance in foundation p. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 21 (3):42-59. ...
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Schmitt, Todd L.; Munns, Suzanne; Adams, Lance; Hicks, James (2013) 'The use of spirometry to evalua. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife M, 44 (3):645-653. [DOI] ...
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Munns, Suzanne L.; Owerkowics, Tomasz; Andrewartha, Sarah J.; Frappell, Peter B. (2012) 'The accesso. Journal o, 215 :84...
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    La Fauce, K.; Ariel, E.; Munns, S.; Rush, C.; Owens, L. (2012) 'Influence of temperature and exposur. Aquaculture, 354-355 :64-67. [DOI] ...
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Axelsson, M.; Dang, Q.; Pitsillides, K.; Munns, S.; Hicks, J.; Kassab, G.S. (2007) 'A novel, fully i. Journal of App, 102 (3):1220...
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Munns, Suzanne; Daniels, Christoper (2007) 'Breathing with big babies: ventilation and oxygen consum. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 80 (1):35-45. [DOI] ...
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Hartzler, L.K.; Munns, S.L.; Bennett, A.F.; Hicks, J.W. (2006) 'Recovery from an activity-induced me. 143 (3):368-374. [DOI] ...
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Hartzler, L.K.; Munns, S.L.; Bennett, A.F.; Hicks, J.W. (2006) 'Metabolic and blood gas dependence o. Journal of Experimental Biology, 209 (6):1052-1057. [DOI] ...
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Munns, Suzanne L; Hartzler, Lynn K; Bennett, Albert F; Hicks, James W (2005) 'Terrestrial locomotion. Journal of Experimen, 208 (17):3331-3339...
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Munns, Suzanne L; Hartzler, Lynn K; Bennett, Albert F; Hicks, James W (2004) 'Elevated intra-abdomin. Journal of Experimen, 207 (23):4111-4120...
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Daniels, Chris B.; Lewis, Ben C.; Tsopelas, Chris; Munns, Suzanne L.; Orgeig, Sandra; Baldwin, Megan...
    Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    B., Liane; N., Gary; J., Anne; M., Suzanne (2023) 'The quality of spirometry testing: A systematic r Respirology, 28 (S2) :4-4. [DOI] ...
    Journal Contribution ResearchOnline@JCU
    Brink, A.; Munns, S.; Nolan, G.; Pyne, N. (2022) 'Using Questionnaires to predict OSA in patients pr Sleep Advances, 3 (Supplement 1) :A39-A39. [DOI] ...
    Journal Contribution ResearchOnline@JCU
    Prinsloo, Duron; Nolan, Gary; Pyne, Nadine; Munns, Suzanne (2021) 'A systematic review of the qualit European Respiratory Journal, 58 (Suppl. 65) . [DOI] ...
    Journal Contribution ResearchOnline@JCU
    Taufa, Shalon; Munns, Suzanne (2021) 'Impacts of transitioning to Global Lung Function Initiative (G European Respiratory Journal, 58 (Suppl. 65) . [DOI] ...
    Journal Contribution ResearchOnline@JCU
    Barry, A.; Pyne, N.; Munns, S.; Nolan, G. (2021) 'Is the Epworth Sleepiness Scale an appropriate scr ERJ Open Research, 7 (Suppl. 7) :55-55. [DOI] ...
    Journal Contribution ResearchOnline@JCU
    Lee, K.; Lee, H.; Munns, S.; Rush, C.; Nolan, G. (2018) 'Exacerbation status is linked to dysfunctio Respirology, 23 (Suppl 1) :122-122. [DOI] ...
    Journal Contribution ResearchOnline@JCU
    Munns, Suzy (2009) 'Review: Animal Physiology (Hill, Wyse and Anderson)' Quarterly Review of Biology, 84 :104-104. ...
    Journal Contribution ResearchOnline@JCU
    Andrewartha, S.J.; Munns, S.L.; Frappell, P.B. (2007) 'Cardiovascular responses to temperature and t 148 (Supple) :s4-s6. [DOI] ...
    Journal Contribution ResearchOnline@JCU
    Owerkowicz, Tomasz; Munns, Suzanne; Brainerd, Elizabeth (2007) 'Inspiratory mechanisms in reptiles: Journal of Morphology, 268 (12) :1114-1114. [DOI] ...
    Journal Contribution ResearchOnline@JCU
    Konovalov, Elena; Collin, Rowan; Munns, Suzanne L. (2018) STARS 2018: Students Transitions Achieveme...
    Conference Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Konovalov, Elena; Sealey, Rebecca; Munns, Suzanne (2017) STARS 2017: Students Transitions Achievemen...
    Conference Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
    Munns, Suzanne; Chilton, Lisa (2014) Demand evidence and think critically: building research excel Sydney, NSW, Australia, ...
    Conference Publication ResearchOnline@JCU