Meet Maf Hasan: SPHERE’s New Research Support Officer

We’re excited to introduce Maf Hasan, the newest addition to the SPHERE team as our Research Support Officer. With a diverse background that spans multiple countries and fields of study, Maf brings a unique perspective and a wealth of experience to her role.

Born in Bangladesh, Maf’s early years were shaped by a vibrant mix of cultures. At the age of two, her family moved to Kenya, where she spent much of her childhood and completed her primary schooling. When she was 11, they relocated to India for a few years before returning to Bangladesh, where she finished high school. Her academic journey then took her further afield—first to Malaysia, where she earned an undergraduate degree in biotechnology, and then to England for a Masters in Chemical Engineering. Along the way, Maf also gained practical experience working in a pharmaceutical company and as a high school biology teacher in Bangladesh, adding more layers to her diverse background.

But it was in Sydney that Maf truly found her calling. In 2014, she moved to Australia to pursue a PhD in algal proteomics at Macquarie University. She later expanded her expertise with a postdoctoral position at Sydney University, focusing on plant proteomics and immunology, followed by a Master’s degree in human immunology.

Despite her extensive experience in the lab, Maf’s career took yet another turn when she realised her true passion lay in bridging the gap between research, health, and education to improve patient outcomes.

"As an academic, I only saw the research and never saw it translated to real-world solutions. I’m excited because in this role, I will be facilitating clinicians and researchers to come together to do this," Maf says.

Alongside her research career, Maf has also co-supervised PhD and Master’s students at Sydney University and Macquarie University. Her commitment to education and mentorship highlights her collaborative spirit, making her an ideal fit for SPHERE.

When she’s not working, Maf enjoys traveling, sampling new cuisines, gardening, and pen-sketching cityscapes.

We’re thrilled to have Maf on board and look forward to the fresh perspectives she’ll bring to SPHERE as we continue to drive innovation in healthcare research.

Maf will support the following SPHERE Themes:

• Age and Ageing (AAA)
• Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolic (DOM)
• Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing (AHW)
• Kids to Adults (K2A)
• Musculoskeletal (MSK)
• Early Life Determinants of Health (ELDOH)