Dr Donkin has a Degree of Biomedical Science from the University of South Australia and a PhD in Lumbar intervertebral disc infection: pathology, prevention and treatment from The University of Adelaide.
While studying for her PhD she found her passion for teaching, completing a Graduate Certificate in Education (Higher Education) from the University of Adelaide and more recently has been awarded Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
She has held positions in national and international universities teaching nursing, medicine, and biomedical sciences students. She is the current Program Coordinator for the Bachelor of Medical Science and was the previous Program Coordinator for Medical Laboratory Science until 2021 at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Dr Donkin has a research interest in medical education and pathology, with her publications and research interests available from the USC Research Bank. Dr Donkin is appointed on the Editorial Board of BMC Medical Education (Q1 Journal) as Sectional Editor for ‘Approaches to Teaching and Learning’ and has membership with the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists, Histotechnology Group of Queensland, CSIRO Science in Schools and Centre for Health Education Scholarship.
Professional Memberships
- Histotechnology Group of Queensland
- Centre for Health Education Scholarship (CHES)
- Australian Institute of Medical Scientist (AIMS)
- Digital Anatomy Network (DAN)
- International Association for Medical Science Educators (IAMSE).
Awards/Fellowships
- Senior Fellow Higher Education Academy
Potential Research Projects for HDR and Honours Students
- Medical education
- Skin Cancer
Research grants
|
Grant/project name |
Investigators |
Funding body and AUD$ value |
Year(s) |
Focus of research grant |
|
Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Real-world experience from a high-UV population with an emphasis on the role of polyomavirus |
Lead R Donkin, Co-investigators A Dettrick, L Banney, N Abeysekera, D Xing, M Lyle, K Merollini. |
UniSC School of Health Collaborative Initiatives Scheme, $10,000 |
2023-24 |
Skin cancer |
|
An Innovative Immunohistochemistry Panel for Detection of Metastatic Basal Cell Carcinoma |
Lead R Donkin, co-investigators A Dettrick and R Gusset. |
Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS) Clinical Research Grant $5,000 |
2022-23 |
Skin cancer |
|
Improving Patient Survival Outcomes by the Application of Functional Guided Radiotherapy Dose Escalation and Organ Sparing in Solid Tumours – A Rapid Clinical Translation Program |
Lead Myo Min, co-investigators Dinesh Vignarajah Nicole Buddle, Cathy Hargrave, Jim Lagopoulos, David Willis, Francis Gibbons, William Bugg, John Blazak, David Hogan, Andrew Dettrick, Rebecca Donkin, Peter Manders, Bryan Chan |
Education and Research Trust Fund – SERTF and Wishlist SCCHS Study, $450,000 |
2021-2024 |
Cancer treatment |
|
Who is educating our future Medical Laboratory Scientists? A perspective of AIMS accredited Medical Laboratory Science programs in Australia. |
Lead R Donkin, co-investigators L Swanepoel and R Gusset. |
Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS) Education and Leadership/Management Grants $5,000 |
2021-22 |
Medical education |
Research areas
- Medical education
- Pathology
MLS210 Advanced Haematology - Moderator
Teaching areas
- MED301 Integrated Medical Science
- MED202 Communication Skills for Medicine
- MED110 Haematology
- BIM371 Clinical Embryology
- SRP301 Special Research Project
Program coordinator
Rebecca's specialist areas of knowledge include histology, pathology, infection, medical, nursing, haematology, biomedical science.