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Dr Darsy Darssan
Dr

Darsy Darssan

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 55272

Overview

Background

Dr Darsy Darssan is an Accredited Professional Statistician® (PStat®) and a Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA). He obtained three degrees in Statistics at mathematical sciences schools of three different universities: a Bachelor of Science with Honours in 2005 at University of Jaffna, a Master of Applied Science in 2008 at RMIT University and a Doctor of Philosophy in 2014 at Queensland University of Technology.

While doing his two years full time traditional face-to-face master degree, Darsy worked as a part-time Statistician at Australian Council for Educational Research for a year.

Between the two bouts of postgraduate studies, Darsy worked for two years: as a Statistician at the University of New South Wales for a year and another year as an Associate Research Fellow in Applied Statistics at the University of Wollongong.

While doing the highest degree in Statistics Darsy worked as a sessional academic, contributed to teaching introductory statistics to various cohorts of first-year undergraduate students. Upon completion of the doctoral degree, Darsy moved to the University of Liverpool in the UK to do his Postdoctoral research in Biostatistics. Darsy returned home in late 2015 and worked as a Biostatistician at The University of Queensland for three years before taking the current position.

Career Statistician:

As a career statistician, Darsy is interested in developing or extending statistical methodologies to solve problems that arise in real-world data analysis and data collection in Biomedical research.

Service Statistician:

Darsy has experience working as a service statistician. He mainly worked on clinical trials where he was involved in study designs, randomisation, protocols development, statistical analysis plans, final statistical reports. He actively participated in data safety monitoring boards. Darsy provided statistical service to Biologists, Rheumatologists, Ophthalmologists, Nephrologist, Endocrinologist and Health Service Researchers.

Teaching @ UQ:

Post-graduate teaching

Introduction to Biostatistics (PUBH7630)

Under-graduate teaching

Health Data Analysis (PUBH2007)

Availability

Dr Darsy Darssan is:
Available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science, University of Jaffna
  • Masters (Coursework), RMIT University
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Queensland University of Technology

Research interests

  • Geospatial Health Data Modeling

    Identify risk factors and quantify disease risk that explains the variation in space and time

  • Research in Biostatistics/Higher Education

    Continuous progressive assessments. Peer feedback. Assessment for learning.

Research impacts

I conduct research in statistical methodologies that has straightforward application in health research. My research provides steps and guidelines on advanced statistical methods for health researchers to conduct quality research.

Works

Search Professor Darsy Darssan’s works on UQ eSpace

43 works between 2014 and 2024

1 - 20 of 43 works

2024

Journal Article

Greenspace and risk of obesity-related cancer in the UK Biobank cohort: an analysis of private residential gardens and other greenspace types

Odebeatu, Chinonso Christian, Darssan, Darsy, Roscoe, Charlotte, Ahmed, Muktar, Reid, Simon and Osborne, Nicholas J. (2024). Greenspace and risk of obesity-related cancer in the UK Biobank cohort: an analysis of private residential gardens and other greenspace types. Science of the Total Environment, 943 173833, 173833. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173833

Greenspace and risk of obesity-related cancer in the UK Biobank cohort: an analysis of private residential gardens and other greenspace types

2024

Conference Publication

The role of greenspace in vitamin D status: cross-sectional, observational evidence from the UK Biobank

Osborne, Nicholas John, Darssan, Darsy, Revez, Joana A., Roscoe, Charlotte, Do, Phu, Reid, Simon A. and Odebeatu, Chinonso Christian (2024). The role of greenspace in vitamin D status: cross-sectional, observational evidence from the UK Biobank. ISEE 2024: 36th Annual Conference of the International Society of Environmental Epidemiology, Santiago, Chile, 25-28 August 2024. Research Triangle Park, NC United States: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. doi: 10.1289/isee.2024.1268

The role of greenspace in vitamin D status: cross-sectional, observational evidence from the UK Biobank

2024

Conference Publication

Comparative assessment of pollen profiles in three cities of India

Dhankhar, Arzoo, Dey, Sagnik, Darssan, Darsy and Osborne, Nicholas J. (2024). Comparative assessment of pollen profiles in three cities of India. ISEE 2024: 36th Annual Conference of the International Society of Environmental Epidemiology, Santiago, Chile, 25-28 August 2024. Research Triangle Park, NC United States: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. doi: 10.1289/isee.2024.0989

Comparative assessment of pollen profiles in three cities of India

2024

Journal Article

Greenspace exposure and associated health outcomes: a systematic review of reviews

Bryer, Brittnee, Odebeatu, Chinonso Christian, Lee, Wen Ray, Vitangcol, Kathryn, Gallegos-Rejas, Victor, Osborne, Nicholas J., Williams, Gail and Darssan, Darsy (2024). Greenspace exposure and associated health outcomes: a systematic review of reviews. F1000Research, 13 491, 1-36. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.148878.1

Greenspace exposure and associated health outcomes: a systematic review of reviews

2024

Journal Article

Practical cooling interventions for preventing heat strain in indoor factory workers in Thailand

Bach, Aaron J. E., Thepaksorn, Phayong, Hom Thepaksorn, Elizabeth K., Borg, David N., Rutherford, Shannon, Osborne, Nicholas J., Darssan, Darsy and Phung, Dung (2024). Practical cooling interventions for preventing heat strain in indoor factory workers in Thailand. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 67 (6), 1-6. doi: 10.1002/ajim.23589

Practical cooling interventions for preventing heat strain in indoor factory workers in Thailand

2024

Conference Publication

Estimating pollen profiles and assessing relationships with meteorology, air pollutants and vegetation in three cities of India

Dhankhar, Arzoo, Dey, Sagnik, Darssan, Darsy and Osborne, Nicholas J. (2024). Estimating pollen profiles and assessing relationships with meteorology, air pollutants and vegetation in three cities of India. EGU24, Vienna, Austria, 14 - 19 April 2024. Göttingen, Germany: Copernicus GmbH. doi: 10.5194/egusphere-egu24-779

Estimating pollen profiles and assessing relationships with meteorology, air pollutants and vegetation in three cities of India

2024

Journal Article

The effects of diurnal temperature range on mortality and emergency department presentations in Victoria state of Australia: A time-series analysis

Amoatey, Patrick, Osborne, Nicholas J., Darssan, Darsy, Xu, Zhiwei, Doan, Quang-Van and Phung, Dung (2024). The effects of diurnal temperature range on mortality and emergency department presentations in Victoria state of Australia: A time-series analysis. Environmental Research, 240 (Pt 1) 117397, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117397

The effects of diurnal temperature range on mortality and emergency department presentations in Victoria state of Australia: A time-series analysis

2023

Conference Publication

Which comes first: asthma or anxiety?

Garcia Sanchez, Diana C., Darssan, Darsy, Lawler, Sheleigh P., Warren, Christopher M., De Klerk Braasch, Adel and Osborne, Nicholas J. (2023). Which comes first: asthma or anxiety?. ISEE 2023: 35th Annual Conference of the International Society of Environmental Epidemiology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 17-21 September 2023. Research Triangle Park, NC United States: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. doi: 10.1289/isee.2023.mp-118

Which comes first: asthma or anxiety?

2023

Journal Article

Dietary patterns explaining variations in blood biomarkers in young adults are associated with the 30-year predicted cardiovascular disease risks in midlife: A follow-up study

Ushula, Tolassa W., Mamun, Abdullah, Darssan, Darsy, Wang, William Y.S., Williams, Gail M., Whiting, Susan J. and Najman, Jake M. (2023). Dietary patterns explaining variations in blood biomarkers in young adults are associated with the 30-year predicted cardiovascular disease risks in midlife: A follow-up study. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, 33 (5), 1007-1018. doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2023.02.019

Dietary patterns explaining variations in blood biomarkers in young adults are associated with the 30-year predicted cardiovascular disease risks in midlife: A follow-up study

2023

Journal Article

Asthma and anxiety development in Australian children and adolescents

Garcia-Sanchez, Diana, Darssan, Darsy, Lawler, Sheleigh P., Warren, Christopher M., De Klerk-Braasch, Adel and Osborne, Nicholas J. (2023). Asthma and anxiety development in Australian children and adolescents. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 34 (3) e13941, 1-9. doi: 10.1111/pai.13941

Asthma and anxiety development in Australian children and adolescents

2023

Journal Article

Dietary patterns and young adult body mass change: a 9-year longitudinal study

Ushula, Tolassa W., Mamun, Abdullah, Darssan, Darsy, Wang, William Y. S., Williams, Gail M., Whiting, Susan J. and Najman, Jake M. (2023). Dietary patterns and young adult body mass change: a 9-year longitudinal study. European Journal of Nutrition, 62 (4), 1657-1666. doi: 10.1007/s00394-023-03101-3

Dietary patterns and young adult body mass change: a 9-year longitudinal study

2023

Conference Publication

Iron deficiency and associated factors in Australian children aged 4–6 years

Zed, K., Calogero, N., Darssan, D., Nicholl, A., Deering, K. and O'Sullivan, T. (2023). Iron deficiency and associated factors in Australian children aged 4–6 years. 46th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Nutrition Society of Australia, Perth, WA, Australia, 29 November – 2 December 2022. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/s0029665123001799

Iron deficiency and associated factors in Australian children aged 4–6 years

2022

Conference Publication

<i>Dietary patterns and young adult body mass change: A 9-year longitudinal study</i>

Ushula, Tolassa W., Mamun, Abdullah, Darssan, Darsy, Wang, William, Williams, Gail, Whiting, Susan and Najman, Jake (2022). Dietary patterns and young adult body mass change: A 9-year longitudinal study. LONDON: SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD.

<i>Dietary patterns and young adult body mass change: A 9-year longitudinal study</i>

2022

Conference Publication

<i>Dietary patterns and young adult risk of abnormal blood lipids: is there prospective associations?</i>

Ushula, Tolassa W., Mamun, Abdullah, Darssan, Darsy, Wang, William, Williams, Gail, Whiting, Susan and Najman, Jake (2022). Dietary patterns and young adult risk of abnormal blood lipids: is there prospective associations?. LONDON: SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD.

<i>Dietary patterns and young adult risk of abnormal blood lipids: is there prospective associations?</i>

2022

Conference Publication

Factors effecting inflammatory-based diseases anxiety and atopy in Australian children

Osborne, Nicholas, Garcia-Sánchez, Diana, Ang, Nathalie and Darssan, Darsy (2022). Factors effecting inflammatory-based diseases anxiety and atopy in Australian children. 34th Annual Conference of The International Society for Environmental Epidemiology, Athens, Greece, 18-21 September 2022. Research Triangle Park, NC, United States: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. doi: 10.1289/isee.2022.p-0522

Factors effecting inflammatory-based diseases anxiety and atopy in Australian children

2022

Journal Article

Dietary patterns and the risks of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance among young adults: evidence from a longitudinal study

Ushula, Tolassa W., Mamun, Abdullah, Darssan, Darsy, Wang, William Y. S., Williams, Gail M., Whiting, Susan J. and Najman, Jake M. (2022). Dietary patterns and the risks of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance among young adults: evidence from a longitudinal study. Clinical Nutrition, 41 (7), 1523-1531. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2022.05.006

Dietary patterns and the risks of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance among young adults: evidence from a longitudinal study

2022

Conference Publication

Dietary patterns in early young adulthood predicted risks of abnormal blood lipids in later young adults: evidence from a prospective cohort study

Ushula, Tolassa, Mamun, Abdullah, Darssan, Darsy, Wang, William, Whiting, Susan, Williams, Gail and Najman, Jake (2022). Dietary patterns in early young adulthood predicted risks of abnormal blood lipids in later young adults: evidence from a prospective cohort study. Nutrition 2022 Live, Online, 14-16 June 2022. New York, NY United States: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/cdn/nzac067.074

Dietary patterns in early young adulthood predicted risks of abnormal blood lipids in later young adults: evidence from a prospective cohort study

2022

Journal Article

Dietary patterns and the risk of abnormal blood lipids among young adults: a prospective cohort study

Ushula, Tolassa W., Mamun, Abdullah, Darssan, Darsy, Wang, William Y.S., Williams, Gail M., Whiting, Susan J. and Najman, Jake M. (2022). Dietary patterns and the risk of abnormal blood lipids among young adults: a prospective cohort study. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, 32 (5), 1165-1174. doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2022.01.030

Dietary patterns and the risk of abnormal blood lipids among young adults: a prospective cohort study

2021

Journal Article

Meta-analysis for individual participant data with a continuous exposure: a case study

Darssan, Darsy, Mishra, Gita D., Greenwood, Darren C., Sandin, Sven, Brunner, Eric J., Crawford, Sybil L., Khoudary, Samar R. El, Brooks, Maria Mori, Gold, Ellen B., Simonsen, Mette Kildevæld, Chung, Hsin-Fang, Weiderpass, Elisabete and Dobson, Annette J. (2021). Meta-analysis for individual participant data with a continuous exposure: a case study. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 140, 79-92. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2021.08.033

Meta-analysis for individual participant data with a continuous exposure: a case study

2021

Journal Article

Association of pesticides and kidney function among adults in the US population 2001–2010

Wan, En-Tzu, Darssan, Darsy, Karatela, Shamshad, Reid, Simon A. and Osborne, Nicholas John (2021). Association of pesticides and kidney function among adults in the US population 2001–2010. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (19) 10249, 1-9. doi: 10.3390/ijerph181910249

Association of pesticides and kidney function among adults in the US population 2001–2010

Funding

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2028
    A user-friendly digital prediction tool for dengue prevention
    Wellcome Trust Discretionary Award
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2022
    Modelling spatiotemporal patterns of environmental exposures and related health outcomes
    U21 Health Sciences Group Early Career Research Fund
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Dr Darsy Darssan is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Model-based disease mapping

    In public health and epidemiology, understanding population-based human diseases on counts of observed cases at different residential areas with relevant characteristics such as age distribution, socioeconomic status, and environmental exposure is essential to provide better patient care and support. Such understanding involves estimating the disease risk in a small geographic area on a spatial domain of interest. Often too low observed cases in some small geographical areas will provide unreliable disease risk estimation. Unreliable estimates raise the question of whether the underlying disease risk of a geographical location is much higher or lower than the rest. This project will answer the question above through rigorous statistical modelling. The models will use the information from the neighbouring observations at various dimensions to better predict disease risk. The underlying philosophy is known as the first law of geostatistics – “everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related”.

    For this research, based on individual research interests, the potential future PhD student can choose a data set from Australian children, overall health survey, women’s health, birth cohort, kidney disease, the study of health and aging, and large-scale biomedical databases. The datasets mentioned above are available for research, but some will need permission to access them. Based on the individual student interest in a particular disease and dataset, we will submit an expression of interest to the data custodians.

    As a principal advisor, I provide many benefits to new PhD students. I am readily available to listen more, care more, closely observe student progress and act quickly as necessary. The advisory team will also have a professor-level co-advisor who will bring disease-specific knowledge to the research. Once established, possibly from the second year of the candidature, the student will have the opportunity to lead the project.

    Potential future PhD students will need to contact me via email, attend a meeting, write a proposal, and apply to the subsequent UQGSS scholarship round.

  • Experiments in higher education

    You will design and conduct a controlled trial in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. High interest in the design of experiments, survey design, psychometrics and innovative higher education is essential.

    As a principal advisor, I provide many benefits to new PhD students. I am readily available to listen more, care more, closely observe student progress and act quickly as necessary. The advisory team will also have a professor-level co-advisor who will bring expertise in higher education research. Once established, possibly from the second year of the candidature, you will have the opportunity to lead the project.

    Potential future PhD students will need to contact me via email, attend a meeting, write a proposal, and apply to the subsequent UQGSS scholarship round.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Dr Darsy Darssan's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au