Young girl receiving a vaccination needle
Careers_

Alumni profile: Higher degree research

Dr Mohamed Tashani

Mohamed is resident medical officer at Lismore Base Hospital and completed his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in 2017. His research interests are in paediatrics, public health and immunisation.

mohamed tashani

Dr Mohamed Tashani – Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine), 2017

After graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Tripoli in Libya, Mohamed Tashani came to Australia, where he became a PhD fellow at the Children's Hospital at Westmead to pursue his interest in immunology and vaccination. 

His research revolved around how new conjugate vaccines interact with each other, as well as with other routine childhood vaccines. Hajj – the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca -  provided Mohamed with a unique opportunity to explore the interaction of vaccines in a semi-controlled setting, as all pilgrims are required to receive certain vaccines before travelling.  While most of these travellers are adults, the implications of the study can be applied to children to optimise childhood immunisation schedules, particularly in settings with low socioeconomic status and in developing countries.

While completing his PhD, Mohamed also worked as a research officer in immunisation program evaluation at NCIRS. The role involved evaluating newly implemented immunisation programs around Australia, interviewing stakeholders and collating their feedback, and making recommendations to the Department of Health based on this feedback and evaluation.

He graduated in 2017 and is currently working as a resident medical officer at Lismore Base Hospital, while remotely supervising research students and publishing his remaining research data.