Bana Marika

Bana Marika is an Associate Professor at the Fribourg School of Health, part of the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland (HES-SO). Her research focuses on oncology nursing, cancer survivorship, and symptom management. She leads the Symptom Navi Program, an intervention supporting self-management of cancer-related symptoms, implemented in 14 Swiss cancer centers. Her work integrates clinical practice, education, and research to improve patient care quality and healthcare professional training.

Education:

• BSc HES-SO in Nursing (University of Health, Fribourg)
• MSc HES-SO in Osteopathy (University of Health, Fribourg)
• Master of Advanced Studies in Onkologischer Pflege (ZHAW, Zurich)
• Höhere Fachprüfung in Onkologische Pflege (St. Gallen)

Research Interests: Cancer survivorship, symptom management, clinical leadership, healthcare quality improvement, and implementation science. Her projects address long-term effects of cancer treatments, self-management strategies, and digital interventions for care support.

Grants & Projects (2023–2027):

• ACASEM Study (2025–2027): Explores digital self-management support accessibility (CHF 112,960).
• CSS-Fri Study (2024): Assesses long-term cancer survivor symptoms (CHF 60,000).
• ProAct-HNC (2024): Investigates physical activity in head and neck cancer patients.
• ALLONHS (2022–2024): Examines quality of life in allogeneic stem cell transplant survivors.

Total funding: Over CHF 170,000.

Collaborations: Partners include Careum Hochschule, Swiss Center for Design and Health, Inselspital Bern, and University of Zurich. She also collaborates with hospitals like HFR Fribourg and HUG Geneva.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Symptom Navi Program team and contributes to the Fribourg Cancer Survivorship Research Group. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to oncology care.