Roxanne Hastie

Master of Epidemiology

I had recently completed my PhD investigating new medications for pregnancy complications, which had been mainly laboratory-based research. I decided I wanted to expand my research to include epidemiology. The Master of Epidemiology appealed to me as it could be done part-time over two years and took my prior experience into consideration. I was working full-time as a postdoctoral researcher and was able to fit the course in with my work load. I was also very interested in gaining the practical skills that the course offered.

The lecturers were highly skilled and all leading epidemiologists or statisticians. I enjoyed learning from people with lived experience who had been very successful in the areas they were teaching us about. For instance, learning about trial design from someone who has completed large national clinical trials themselves is very inspiring.

The subjects offered practical skills that I now use in my role as an epidemiologist every day including trial design, statistics and Stata.

I began the Master of Epidemiology with the goal of becoming a perinatal epidemiologist. Today, I co-lead a growing epidemiology team with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Melbourne, including two PhD students and a small data team. My research aims to reduce the burden of major pregnancy complications, and spans from improving the treatment of mental health during pregnancy to investigating new drugs to treat life threatening conditions. I’ve had the opportunity to work with leading global epidemiologists and continue developing my skills. All of this would not have been possible without the skills and knowledge I gained from the Master of Epidemiology.

Learn more about the Master of Epidemiology

Register your interest