BMedSc(Hons)—overseas travel and a chance to study at one of the world’s best universities

 BMedSc(Hons) students Jo and Viv in Oxford

The opportunity to live and study overseas at one of the world’s leading universities for medical research was the drawcard for two Monash medical students completing their Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours) at the University of Oxford this year.

School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health (SCS) medical students Viveka Nainani and Joanna Wang are currently in Oxford, undertaking research projects in vaccine safety and neonatal infections.

“I’m investigating the clinical implications of adverse effects following immunisation with the meningococcal B vaccine,” said Viveka.

“I’m aiming to create a protocol demonstrating what to do when an infant enters A&E with a fever who has been vaccinated in the past 48 hours.”

Viveka and the research team hope this will reduce clinical uncertainty and unnecessary invasive investigations, and thus reduce healthcare consumption.

Also interested in paediatrics, Joanna Wang is examining neonatal enterococcal infections and related healthcare-associated risk factors using data collected through neonIN, an international collaborative neonatal surveillance network.

“Our goal is to reduce rates of neonatal enterococcal infections, which are responsible for a significant burden of morbidity and mortality in these babies,” said Joanna.

“We hope that through identifying trends in neonatal enterococcal infections and related healthcare-associated risk factors, we can identify areas which may be effectively targeted through appropriate prevention and management strategies, thus decreasing infection rates.”

Viveka is interested in pursuing paediatrics as a career specialty and is currently working with the Oxford Vaccine Group, at the forefront of research in both paediatrics and vaccination.

“It's been an incredible opportunity to live and study abroad for 8 months and experience the differences in culture and healthcare overseas.”

Travelling overseas from the UK, learning a range of new research skills, gaining some clinical experience in a different healthcare system and having the opportunity to speak at a UK conference are among the highlights so far for Viveka. 

“Oxford is a beautiful place and has an atmosphere perfect for study and research,” said Joanna.
“Aside from my project, this whole year has been a really great experience—beautiful place, great people, engaging cultural exchange, fun travels.”

Joanna is supervised by, Monash University’s Dr Kenneth Tan and Dr Mark Anthony, neonatologist at the University of Oxford.  Viveka’s supervisors are Associate Professor Jim Buttery, Director of Research and Head of Infection and Immunity at Monash Children’s Hospital and Dr Matthew Snape, consultant in general paediatrics and vaccinology at the University of Oxford.


Viveka and Joanna will return to SCS next year to complete their final year of medical school.