Personal profile

Biography

Mastura Monif (BBiomed Sci, B Sci Hons, MBBS, PhD, FRACP) is an Associate Professor in the Van Cleef Centre for Nervous Diseases, Department of Neuroscience, within the School of Translational Medicine. She leads the Neuroimmunology, Neuroinflammation and Neuro Oncology Lab at Monash University Department of Neuroscience. Her research interests are to understand how neuroinflammation can induce neurological disease. The main areas of research focus in her lab are: Autoimmune Encephalitis, Glioblastoma (brain cancer), Autoimmune Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) and Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy related neurotoxicity. 

Research interests

To understand how neuroinflammation and innate immune responses can lead to neurological diseases.

To decipher biomarkers of neuroinflammatory disease that can assist with disease diagnosis, prognostication and aid in improved therapeutics.

Clinical activities

She is also a Consultant Neurologist at Alfred Health. She leads the Neuroimmunology Service at Alfred Health. Her clinical interest and expertise are neuroimmunological diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Autoimmune Encephalitis, and other central nervous system inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. She is also leads the neurology division of CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T cell) Therapy for haematological malignancies and autoimmune CNS diseases at Alfred Health focusing on diagnosis and management of neurological complications of CAR-T Therapy.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

Education/Academic qualification

Neuroimmunology, Fellowship, Royal Melbourne Hospital

Award Date: 30 Dec 2017

Neurology, Neurology Specialist Qualification - FRACP, Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP)

Award Date: 20 Oct 2017

Physician Training, Fellow of the Australian College of Physicians, Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP)

Award Date: 29 Jul 2014

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, University of Melbourne

Award Date: 4 Dec 2010

Neuroscience, Neuroimmunology, PhD, P2X7 Receptor and its contribution to the activation and proliferation of microglia. , University of Melbourne

Award Date: 4 Dec 2010

Neuroscience, Bachelor of Science Honours, Development of a presynaptic calcium biosensor to study neuronal calcium dynamics. , University of Melbourne

Award Date: 4 Dec 2004

External positions

Head of Neuroimmunology Service , Alfred Hospital

20 Jun 2021 → …

Research area keywords

  • neurology
  • neuroimmunology
  • neuroinflammation
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Autoimmune Encephalitis
  • Gliomas
  • Microglia / monocytes
  • Purinergic receptors
  • P2X7R

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or