PhD in Genetic Engineering
Tahmina was awarded her PhD in Genetic Engineering in 2025. Her project was funded by an ARC grant from the Wolvetang Group in Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) and she was a recipient of UQ Research Training Stipend Earmarked, UQ Research Training Tuition Fee Offset, Entrepreneurial Scholar PhD Top-up Scholarship and PhD Industry Placement Award. She is one of the inventors of a patented gene editing technology for safer precise gene editing in primary cells supported by UQ Uniquest. At present, she is a project officer for medical affairs and family support at BDSRA Australia which is a non-profit foundation for Batten Disease.
During her time in UQ, she has played various distinct roles. She worked as an RA for Phenomics Australia UQ Node and was a Senior RA at AIBN managing international biotech projects. Outside the lab, she interned with the biotech startup Azafaros in Basel, Switzerland as a regulatory affairs analyst for organoids and stem cells. She also worked at the advancement campaign with UQ Alumni Relations team and was a UQ Giving Day Ambassador for two consecutive years. At Liveris Academy, Tahmina worked as a curriculum revision project officer and contributed to the 2024 program design and launch. She has also worked as a sessional academic for the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biology (SCMB) and has delivered her first lecture on CRISPR gene editing for BIOT7060 course which was very well received by students. In addition, Tahmina has engaged in various UQ activities including being second runner up in Ventures Validate Program, finalist at AIBN 3-minute thesis (3MT), and becoming U21 Global Citizen by Common Purpose. She has also participated in various national and international conferences oversees and has won several travel awards.
Tahmina’s primary interest is in translational research, with a long-term goal of becoming a science leader who gives back to the community. She enjoys networking through involvement in social events and loves to travel. If you want to get in touch with Dr. Tahmina, please connect with her at www.linkedin.com/in/tahmina-tabassum.
LinkedIn: Tahmina Tabassum
