Overview
Background
Dr Mari Takashima is a nurse-statistician and clinical trialist whose research centres on medical device safety in paediatric and neonatal populations. She is a certified health informatician with expertise in clinical epidemiology, clinical trials, applied biostatistics, and health informatics.
Her research program focuses on the utilisation and safety of invasive medical devices, including vascular access devices, cardiopulmonary bypass circuits, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Her current research interests include the safety of plastic chemicals in medical devices. This emerging program investigates chemical leaching of plasticisers such as DEHP and BPA from plastic circuits and tubing used in paediatric and neonatal care, and the potential health consequences of cumulative exposure in vulnerable patients.
Availability
- Dr Mari Takashima is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Nursing, Griffith University
- Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing, Queensland University of Technology
- Masters (Research) of Clinical Epidemiology, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Griffith University
Research interests
-
Paediatric medical device safety
I investigate how to make medical devices safer for children, from vascular access devices such as cannulas and central lines to feeding devices and life support circuits. My work examines device complications including blockage, blood clots, infection, skin injury and device failure in newborn, paediatric and intensive care settings. I am an investigator on three national trials testing safer device selection and care.
-
Plastic chemical exposure from medical devices
I study how chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenol A leach from plastic medical devices into vulnerable patients. My focus is newborns and children exposed during cardiac surgery on bypass, extracorporeal life support, dialysis and intravenous therapy. This work combines laboratory testing, clinical studies and evidence reviews to identify safer devices and inform hospital purchasing and clinical practice.
-
Evidence synthesis and meta-analysis
I conduct systematic reviews, scoping reviews and network meta-analyses. My work includes reviews of antimicrobial catheter impregnation, central venous access device securement and chemical leaching from devices, providing evidence to guide clinical decisions and practice guidelines.
-
Biostatistics and health research methods
I lead statistical design and analysis across a wide range of health research, including clinical trials, cohort studies, data linkage studies, surveys and quality improvement projects. My expertise spans trial design, causal inference, longitudinal and survival analysis, and analysis of routinely collected hospital data. I am passionate about matching the right statistical method to the right research question.
Works
Search Professor Mari Takashima’s works on UQ eSpace
2026
Journal Article
Central venous access device-associated complication costs in paediatrics: a systematic review
Comber, Elouise R., Ullman, Amanda, Hall, Stephanie, Takashima, Mari, Nguyen, Linda, Keogh, Samantha and Byrnes, Joshua (2026). Central venous access device-associated complication costs in paediatrics: a systematic review. Journal of Hospital Infection, 169, 59-67. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2025.11.009
2026
Journal Article
Procedural support for neurodivergent children during medical procedures: a scoping review
Takashima, Mari, Robertson, Harriet, Plummer, Karin, Kotzur, Catherine, Wesley, Adel, Donaldson, Alexandra, Hjelmgren, Henrik, Stålberg, Anna, Burgess, Lisa, Friedman, Alexander J., Mimmo, Laurel, Choi, Jade, Barker, Natalie, Gooley, Sherelyn, Walsh, Nicki, Cobham, Vanessa E. and Ullman, Amanda (2026). Procedural support for neurodivergent children during medical procedures: a scoping review. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 29 (1), 167-181. doi: 10.1007/s10567-026-00562-w
2026
Journal Article
Vascular access specialist teams across Australia and New Zealand: a survey of workforce models and clinical practice
Marsh, Nicole, Berger, Sarah, Culverwell, Elizabeth, Larsen, Emily, O'Brien, Catherine, Takashima, Mari, Cunninghame, Jacqueline, Ullman, Amanda, Hall, Stephanie, Ray‐Barruel, Gillian and Corley, Amanda (2026). Vascular access specialist teams across Australia and New Zealand: a survey of workforce models and clinical practice. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 32 (1) e70096, 1-11. doi: 10.1111/ijn.70096
2026
Journal Article
Effectiveness of Buzzy® for pain relief in children during intramuscular injections: systematic review and meta-analysis
da Silva Moura, Jefferson Wildes, Takashima, Mari, Silva, Thiago Lopes, de Souza, Sabrina, de Souza Bitencourt, Aline, dos Passos da Rosa, Fábila Fernanda, Hjelmgren, Henrik, dos Santos, Luciano Marques, Ullman, Amanda and Rocha, Patrícia Kuerten (2026). Effectiveness of Buzzy® for pain relief in children during intramuscular injections: systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 86, 625-632. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2025.12.013
2025
Journal Article
Preventing InfusAte injuries throughout a Child's Hospitalization (PATCH): study protocol for a type 1 hybrid randomized controlled trial
Day, Toni, Ullman, Amanda J., Doyle, Rebecca, Marsh, Nicole, Coyer, Fiona M., August, Deanne, Cole, Roni, Keogh, Samantha, Kleidon, Tricia M., McBride, Craig A., Takashima, Mari, Xu, Hui (Grace), Kearney, Lauren N., Byrnes, Joshua M., Thomas, Clare, Rahiman, Sarfaraz, Ruppel, Halley, Bonafide, Christopher, Gillespie, Brigid, Battley, Callan, Gibson, Victoria, Souza, Sabrina de, Doubrovsky, Anna, Davies, Mark W., Curley, Martha A. Q. and Ware, Robert S. (2025). Preventing InfusAte injuries throughout a Child's Hospitalization (PATCH): study protocol for a type 1 hybrid randomized controlled trial. Journal of Hospital Medicine, 21 (3) jhm.70215, 337-347. doi: 10.1002/jhm.70215
2025
Journal Article
Exploring experiences, perceptions and preferences for exercise in Australians living with a stoma: a cross‐sectional survey
Stankiewicz, Monica, Hides, Julie, Gavin, Nicole, Parkinson, Joy, Bunzli, Samantha, Takashima, Mari and Coombes, Brooke K. (2025). Exploring experiences, perceptions and preferences for exercise in Australians living with a stoma: a cross‐sectional survey. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 82 (8) jan.70437, 7928-7941. doi: 10.1111/jan.70437
2025
Journal Article
Performance of tunnelled, noncuffed central venous catheters and PICCs in infants
Dean, Anna, Doyle, Rebecca, Takashima, Mari and Ullman, Amanda (2025). Performance of tunnelled, noncuffed central venous catheters and PICCs in infants. Hospital Pediatrics, 15 (12), 995-1004. doi: 10.1542/hpeds.2025-008495
2025
Conference Publication
Culturally safe care through interdisciplinary tertiary education: Exploring student nurse, midwife, and social work learning experiences during course curriculum
Thompson, Kate, Holland, Lorelle, Takashima, Mari and Ullman, Amanda (2025). Culturally safe care through interdisciplinary tertiary education: Exploring student nurse, midwife, and social work learning experiences during course curriculum. Indigenous Futures International Conference, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia, 4-7 November 2025.
2025
Journal Article
A prospective cohort study of technique and technology used to improve first time PIVC insertion success in hospitalised paediatric patients
Kleidon, Tricia M., Takashima, Mari, Rickard, Claire M., Schults, Jessica A., Bulmer, Andrew C. and Ullman, Amanda J. (2025). A prospective cohort study of technique and technology used to improve first time PIVC insertion success in hospitalised paediatric patients. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 81 (10), 6486-6503. doi: 10.1111/jan.16795
2025
Journal Article
Effectiveness of virtual reality on pain during peripheral intravenous catheterization in the emergency room: a randomized clinical trial
Rocha, Patrícia Fernandes Albeirice da, dos Santos, Luciano Marques, Ullman, Amanda, Plummer, Karin, Takashima, Mari, Vitor, Michel Zaghi and Rocha, Patrícia Kuerten (2025). Effectiveness of virtual reality on pain during peripheral intravenous catheterization in the emergency room: a randomized clinical trial. Journal of Infusion Nursing, 48 (5), 344-356. doi: 10.1097/nan.0000000000000603
2025
Journal Article
Impact of the I-DECIDED tool to improve peripheral intravenous catheter care in paediatrics: interrupted time-series study
Silva, Thiago Lopes, Ray-Barruel, Gillian, Ullman, Amanda, Takashima, Mari, Kusahara, Denise Miyuki, de Souza, Sabrina, da Silva Moura, Jefferson Wildes, Bitencourt, Aline de Souza and Rocha, Patricia Kuerten (2025). Impact of the I-DECIDED tool to improve peripheral intravenous catheter care in paediatrics: interrupted time-series study. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 81 (9), 5329-5341. doi: 10.1111/jan.16458
2025
Journal Article
Clinical trials in central venous access devices: an evidence and gap map
Takashima, Mari, Hyun, Areum, Kleidon, Tricia, Gibson, Victoria, De Souza, Sabrina, Comber, Elouise, Cunninghame, Jacqueline, Moura, Jefferson Wildes da Silva, Mansah, Martha, August, Deanne, Rocha, Patrícia Kuerten, Marsh, Nicole, Corley, Amanda, Keogh, Sam and Ullman, Amanda (2025). Clinical trials in central venous access devices: an evidence and gap map. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 82 (5) jan.70160, 4524-4537. doi: 10.1111/jan.70160
2025
Journal Article
Reduced type-I interferon by plasmacytoid dendritic cells and asthma in school-aged children
Coenen, Isabelle, Jones, Anya C., White, Alice A., Takashima, Mari, Lee, Wen Ray, Wong, Matthew D., Vilcins, Dwan, Kadolsky, Ulrich, Cheema, Ali Sadiq, Saxena, Alka, Bosco, Anthony, Grimwood, Keith, Sly, Peter D., Strickland, Deborah H. and Leffler, Jonatan (2025). Reduced type-I interferon by plasmacytoid dendritic cells and asthma in school-aged children. Allergy, 81 (1) all.70005, 109-120. doi: 10.1111/all.70005
2025
Conference Publication
Privileging Indigenous ways of knowing: a systematic review of RHD prevention programs in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Holland, Lorelle, Thompson, Kate, Maxwell, Karina, Cai, Emma, Delaney, Lori, Lynch, Debby, Cunninghame, Jacqueline, Ullman, Amanda, Takashima, Mari, Martin, Antonella, Moore, Jane, Kilgour, Catherine and Toombs, Maree (2025). Privileging Indigenous ways of knowing: a systematic review of RHD prevention programs in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. 4th International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference, Adelaide, SA Australia, 16-19 June 2025.
2025
Conference Publication
Post-insertion care practices for non-tunnelled haemodialysis catheters in the intensive care unit: an Australia-wide cross-sectional survey
Corley, Amanda, Bloomer, Melissa, Shinners, Lucy, Takashima, Mari, Ullman, Amanda, Keogh, Samantha, O'Brien, Catherine, Larsen, Emily, Coyer, Fiona and Marsh, Nicole (2025). Post-insertion care practices for non-tunnelled haemodialysis catheters in the intensive care unit: an Australia-wide cross-sectional survey. Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society/Australian College of Critical Care Nursing Intensive Care Annual Scientific meeting, Christchurch, New Zealand, 9 - 11 April 2025. Philadelphia, PA United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.aucc.2025.101363
2025
Journal Article
Identifying Risk Factors for Central Venous Access Device Complications in Pediatric Patients With Cancer: A Scoping Review
Nunn, Jenna L., Takashima, Mari D., Wray-Jones, Erin M., Soosay Raj, Trisha A., Hanna, Diane M. and Ullman, Amanda J. (2025). Identifying Risk Factors for Central Venous Access Device Complications in Pediatric Patients With Cancer: A Scoping Review. European Journal of Cancer Care, 2025 (1) 9956694. doi: 10.1155/ecc/9956694
2025
Journal Article
Central venous access device management for children undergoing treatment for blood disorders and cancer: a descriptive international cross-sectional survey
Hyun, Areum, Takashima, Mari D., de Souza, Sabrina, Gibson, Victoria, Silva, Thiago Lopes, Rocha, Patricia Kuerten, Vetcho, Siriporn and Ullman, Amanda J. (2025). Central venous access device management for children undergoing treatment for blood disorders and cancer: a descriptive international cross-sectional survey. Supportive Care in Cancer, 33 (3) 179, 1-10. doi: 10.1007/s00520-025-09240-z
2025
Journal Article
Development and preliminary validation of a central venous access device‐associated skin impairment classification tool using modified Delphi and clinimetric methods
Xu, Hui (Grace), Campbell, Jill, Takashima, Mari, Larsen, Emily, Coyer, Fiona, August, Deanne, Dean, Anna, Pitt, Colleen, Griffin, Bronwyn, Marsh, Nicole, Rickard, Claire M. and Ullman, Amanda (2025). Development and preliminary validation of a central venous access device‐associated skin impairment classification tool using modified Delphi and clinimetric methods. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 81 (2), 1095-1112. doi: 10.1111/jan.16416
2025
Journal Article
Arterial catheter outcomes in intensive care: An analysis of 1117 patients
Keogh, Samantha, Larsen, Emily, Corley, Amanda, Takashima, Mari, Marsh, Nicole, Edwards, Melannie, Reynolds, Heather, Dhanani, Jayesh, Coyer, Fiona, Laupland, Kevin B. and Rickard, Claire M. (2025). Arterial catheter outcomes in intensive care: An analysis of 1117 patients. Infection, Disease and Health, 30 (1), 12-17. doi: 10.1016/j.idh.2024.07.006
2025
Journal Article
Recurrent peripheral intravenous catheterization in neonates: a case series
Hall, Stephanie, Larsen, Emily, Cobbald, Linda, Marsh, Nicole, McLaughlin, Linda, Takashima, Mari, Ware, Robert S., Ulman, Amanda and August, Deanne (2025). Recurrent peripheral intravenous catheterization in neonates: a case series. Nursing in Critical Care, 30 (5) e13232, e13232. doi: 10.1111/nicc.13232
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Mari Takashima is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Master Philosophy
Is there an association between chylothoracies and thromboses in neonates and infants post cardiac surgery?
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Amanda Ullman
Completed supervision
-
2025
Master Philosophy
The Performance of Tunnelled, Non-Cuffed Central Venous Catheters and Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters in Infants
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Amanda Ullman
Media
Enquiries
For media enquiries about Dr Mari Takashima's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team: