Medicine and Health Sciences 2025 | Page 29

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

KKPT / JPT ( N / 0900 / 8 / 0002 ) 08 / 31 - MQA / PSA 17710
Undertaking a PhD at Monash is one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences we can offer you . Be part of a proud tradition of research excellence .
Monash provides medical , surgical and health sciences research training that ’ s recognised and respected worldwide for its excellence and relevance . Your PhD consists of an extensive , independent research project in your discipline of choice , supported by a minimum of two academic supervisors throughout your candidature . Your study will result in a research thesis which makes a valuable contribution to the current body of knowledge on your chosen topic .
Areas of research
• Biochemistry and molecular biology
• Epidemiology and preventive medicine
• General practice
• Infectious diseases and immunity
• Medical education
• Medicine
• Microbiology
• Neuroscience
• Nanomedicine
• Public health
• Paediatrics
• Pharmacology
• Physiology
• Psychology
• Surgery
• Toxicology .
Course structure
The course consists of a research and thesis component . You must submit for assessment a thesis of not more than 80,000 words . Your research training is further enhanced by professional development activities or coursework units designed to support you in your academic and professional development .
3 – 4 years ( full-time ) 6 – 8 years ( part-time )*
Your PhD research project is to be conceived from the outset as clearly achievable within three years equivalent full-time , and you ’ re expected to complete your degree within three to four years equivalent full-time .
Throughout the year
( subject to availability of supervision )
Research
RM47,040 Malaysian student
RM53,280 International student 2025 fees per year
* Part-time study is not available for international students .
Monash is a wonderful place to cultivate ideas as it accepts and promotes different points of view . As a science fanatic , pursuing research in a country that values local resources and their conservation makes it a stable stepping stone for my postgraduate studies . It helped in my expression of ideas in research , and discussions with seasoned professors were always fruitful .”
DR SHAZA MOHAMED MUSA MOHAMEDAHMED
Doctor of Philosophy
Shaza ’ s research explored the anticancer effects of tocotrienols , a form of vitamin E found in palm oil and other plant oils , on triple-negative breast cancer ( TNBC ) cells . While tocotrienols have shown promise in 2D cell cultures and in vivo models , their clinical application in breast cancer treatment remains limited .
Shaza ’ s study employed a 3D spheroid model of TNBC cells , which better mimics the tumour microenvironment compared to traditional 2D models , and results have demonstrated that tocotrienols can induce cell death in these 3D spheroids via different mechanisms than in conventional 2D culture .
The next step involves testing tocotrienols on patient-derived organoids from TNBC tissue samples , and a pilot study at Monash ’ s Clayton campus has yielded promising results .
27