No limits for Charles Sturt alumni

Paramedic, educator, researcher and protector of Thor - all in a day's work for alumnus, Dr Sandy MacQuarrie. As Charles Sturt graduate Sandy proves, it can take you far beyond the back of an ambulance vehicle – including monitoring the god of thunder's stress levels as he put his body through unfathomable stress.

Sandy – a paramedic and researcher at Griffith University – has recently worked with superstar Chris Hemsworth in the production of the National Geographic series Limitless, in which the actor underwent a series of gruelling challenges to understand the limits of the human body and help us live better for longer. Sandy was on the rooftop of a Sydney skyscraper, watching as Chris walked out off the edge of the building.

“Griffith University supplies scientists and research capacity for television shows, and Nutopia, the production company for the series, reached out in May 2021 seeking scientists to monitor stress in real time,” Sandy recalls.

“It was all very close-lipped at that stage around the concept and who was involved. My colleagues Dr Matt Barton and Dr Mike Todorovich met with the producers, and they were interested in wearable tech so they could see what was happening inside their star’s body as it was happening. That’s where I came in.”

Sandy’s research focuses on stress, resilience, and wellbeing, measured in real time using analytics from Hexoskin and Astroskin biometric vests. The vests are embedded with health sensors and artificial intelligence; he was among the world’s first to use the technology in paramedicine research, the vests are currently being used on the International Space Station. The Limitless producers trialled the technology and immediately asked Sandy to bring his expertise to the project.

“The vest measures heart rate minimums, maximums, and averages, your respiratory rate, oxygen consumption, blood-oxygen levels – all in real time, capturing data for detailed analysis through specialised software. It tracks blood pressure, body temperature, g-forces, how much energy you’re burning each second, and more,” he explains.

“With those statistics, we were able to build a complete picture of the stresses Chris’s body was under as he navigated challenging tasks and see the impact of tools like mindfulness and breathing techniques in calming his nervous system. It was an incredible experience adapting and using the technology in that setting – it was a lot of work and a lot of fun.”

Sandy spent his early career in his native Canada as a paramedic, educator, and senior manager. Having completed his MBA with Charles Sturt online, he moved to Australia in 2013 to teach in the paramedicine program at the University’s Bathurst campus. He chose Charles Sturt because of the renowned reputation the course has. At the same time, he relished the opportunity to develop his research methodologies and complete a PhD focused on the physical demands of paramedic job performance and their effect on job-specific skills.

“It was the perfect place to do a PhD and work at the same time. The faculty was so supportive with lots of advice and guidance from all. I couldn’t have done it any other way; it was great.”

He was also instrumental in co-establishing Charles Sturt’s award-winning Dare to Know Paramedic Research Scholarship program, which pairs a student with an academic mentor to work on a project and develop research skills. It’s a unique legacy embedding the value of research in the psyche of the next generation of paramedical professionals.

Along with co-creator Clare Sutton, Sandy says “It exposed students to research and many went on to pursue PhDs. It also created opportunities for staff who weren’t necessarily researchers because they were given time to do mentoring and gained mentoring themselves. They’re more research-active now than ever before.”

Dare to Know Scholarship

The Dare to Know Paramedic Research Scholarship has no cash value. It is comprised of being paired with an academic “mentor” who either has an identified project or can work with the student to identify a project to complete. The program may, additionally, be conducted in conjunction with a workplace partner.

The 2022 recipient of the Dare to Know Scholarship, Victoria Cockley (pictured below) related the impact it had on her life.

Meanwhile, Sandy’s own research was capturing wider attention. In February 2019, he moved to Griffith University to take up a more research-intensive role, where he blends teaching with conducting novel research into the health and wellness of paramedics and other emergency responders.

“I want to understand stress and cognitive load, and how these impact the health and wellbeing of emergency services professionals in the short and long term. We’re in the early stages of some major studies that we’re looking to translate into helping paramedics, police officers, and other tactical operators.”

Determined to push the boundaries and never be bored, Sandy continues to explore, collaborate, and learn. Balancing academia with on-set paramedic work in film and television for several production companies, he maintains a strong connection with Charles Sturt as an adjunct researcher, PhD supervisor, and mentor, sharing his passion for wellness and resilience with tomorrow’s paramedical leaders.

“There are so many paths you can take in paramedicine, and the industry is diversifying to assimilate those who don’t necessarily want to be a frontline provider. You can work almost anywhere, all around the world, in areas like research, industrial settings, community and extended care, acute response units, remote patient monitoring, and much more,” he says.

“The advice I give someone considering becoming a paramedic is to research the best education option for you and to talk to paramedics, spend time with them, to really understand the role.

To me, it all comes down to common reassurance – being first on the scene to make sense of the chaos and hold someone’s hand when they’re in need.”

“With a lot of financial burdens and the added stress of having family members who were sick, it was hard for me to stay focused on my studies.

“The scholarship allowed me to learn more about research and the importance of paramedic well-being, something that had always been a great interest of mine. I was able to investigate my chosen area of research with the support of my supervisors, who provided me with guidance and encouragement every step of the way.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to learn about the research process and investigate my topic of interest, which ultimately will help me become a more knowledgeable and empathetic paramedic.”