Dr. Purnima Bhat

Biography

Purnima Bhat is a Senior Research Fellow at the ANU Medical School and a practicing clinical Gastroenterologist at Canberra Hospital, specializing in Gastroenterology and Liver Transplantation. She received her medical degree from the University of Queensland and completed her PhD at the University of Melbourne, focusing on Hepatitis B Virus research at the Burnet Institute. Her research interests center around mucosal immunology in the gut, with a strong emphasis on developing novel therapies for diseases such as cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and viral hepatitis. Purnima's laboratory is dedicated to translational medicine, aiming to create innovative point-of-care tests for hepatitis B infection and to reduce healthcare delivery costs in developing countries. She actively contributes to various global committees, serving as the Chair of the African Outreach Committee for the World Endoscopy Organization, and is involved in initiatives to promote gastroenterology education and research in Africa. Purnima's work encompasses both clinical and research aspects, aiming to translate scientific discoveries into practical solutions for healthcare challenges.

Research Interests

Experience