Dr Shweta Mhatre

Insect Allergy Stream Master's Scholar

• Masters Candidate, University of Adelaide
• Project: To develop and validate an in vitro diagnostic system to assess insect allergy and monitor outcomes of venom immunotherapy.
• Primary Supervisor: Associate Professor Pravin Hissaria, Drug Allergy Stream Advisory Group member
• Research scientist, SA Pathology

Why is this research important to you personally, and those impacted by insect allergy?

This research project will monitor the success of Venom Immunotherapy (VIT), the only reliable treatment currently used to prevent and control severe anaphylaxis caused by insect stings. Proper management of VIT would help improve the quality of life for people affected by insect allergy. As a part of the Australian allergy research community, I look forward to contributing to our understanding of this disease and I hope to have a positive impact on the lives of those affected.

What inspired you to pursue a career in allergy research?

When I started working as a research scientist at SA Pathology, I was responsible for performing the Basophil Activation Test (BAT) for patients showing anaphylactic reactions to various food and insect allergens. This was my first taste of allergy research, and now I am honoured to receive a NACE Postgraduate Scholarship to advance my career in this field.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shweta-mhatre 

RECENT PUBLICATIONS:

Isolation and identification of bacteria with cellulose-degrading potential from soil and optimization of cellulase production. Journal of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Nov 2021

Alleviation of adverse effects of salt stress in Triticum aestivum by foliar application of compatible solutes. IJRBAT, Nov 2017