
Overview
Background
Maher Gandhi received his medical degree in the UK in 1989, and then trained as a haematologist, including a Fellowship in malignant haematology at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto. He was awarded a PhD in immunology at Cambridge University under Patrick Sissons. He moved to Brisbane and from 2003-2024 worked as a Senior Staff Specialist (Pre-Eminent Status) in the Haematology / Oncology Department of the Princess Alexandra Hospital. He leads his own laboratory group and has established an international reputation studying the tumour immune microenvironment in lymphoma and its manipulation, with continuous NHMRC/MRFF funding since 2005. He was Chair of Laboratory Sciences for the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group between 2010-2016, won the prestigious Australian Society of Medical Research Clinical Research Award in 2010 and in 2012 took up the inaugural John McCaffrey Cancer Council of Queensland / Office of Health and Medical Research Clinical Research Fellowship. Between 2011-2014 he was privileged to serve as Chair of the Metro South Human Research Ethics Committee. In 2013 he was appointed Professor of Experimental Haematology, University of Queensland, based at the Translational Research Institute, in 2014 became the inaugural Leukaemia Foundation Chair of Blood Cancer Research at the University of Queensland Frazer Institute, and was appointed Cancer Program Head in 2016. In 2018 he became Executive Director and Director of Clinical Research at Mater Research. He also continues to head the Blood Cancer Research Group, which is based in Mater Research. In 2025 to current, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Translational Research Institute and its manufacturing branch TM@TRI, to serve Queenslanders by transforming health through collaborative research.
Availability
- Professor Maher Gandhi is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Medicine Surgery, University of Aberdeen
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Cambridge
Research interests
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Lymphoma
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Immunotherapy
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Biomarkers
Research impacts
The research of the Blood Cancer Research Laboratory aims to understand the basis of lymphoma; to devise new treatments which are less toxic and more effective; to establish new biomarkers which will help determine the most effective treatment strategies and to monitor response and relapse and understand the development of lymphomas. The group has a strong emphasis on patient material, which it obtains from international and national clinical collaborators. Lymphomas studied includeEBV-associated lymphomas, Hodgkin Lymphoma, PTLD, Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma, Follicular Lymphoma and amyloidosis. We utilise a broad range of approaches including genomics, transcriptomics and functional immunoassays, and are conducting a number of MRFF funded cellular therapy studies sponsored by the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group.
The Mater Foundation, the Leukaemia Foundation, the Mark Coghlan EBV Lymphoma Project and the Brisbane Girls Grammar School Kirsten Jack Memorial Fund are thanked for their kind support.
Works
Search Professor Maher Gandhi’s works on UQ eSpace
2001
Conference Publication
Changes in the clonal composition of CMV-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) between allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients and their donors.
Gandhi, MK, Willis, MR, Craig, JIO, Marcus, RE, Sissons, JP and Carmichael, AJ (2001). Changes in the clonal composition of CMV-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) between allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients and their donors.. WASHINGTON: AMER SOC HEMATOLOGY.
2001
Journal Article
Antibody responses to vaccinations given within the first two years after transplant are similar between autologous peripheral blood stem cell and bone marrow transplant recipients
Gandhi, MK, Egner, W, Sizer, L, Inman, I, Zambon, M, Craig, JIO and Marcus, RE (2001). Antibody responses to vaccinations given within the first two years after transplant are similar between autologous peripheral blood stem cell and bone marrow transplant recipients. Bone Marrow Transplantation, 28 (8), 775-781. doi: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1703239
2000
Conference Publication
The clonal reconstitution of human cytomegalovirus-specific memory cytotoxic T-lymphocytes following allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
Gandhi, MK, Carmichael, AJ, Wills, MR, Craig, JIO, Marcus, RE and Sissons, JP (2000). The clonal reconstitution of human cytomegalovirus-specific memory cytotoxic T-lymphocytes following allogeneic stem cell transplantation.. WASHINGTON: AMER SOC HEMATOLOGY.
2000
Journal Article
A comparison of molecular and enzyme-based assays for the detection of thiopurine methyltransferase mutations
Coulthard, SA, Rabello, C, Robson, J, Howell, C, Minto, L, Middleton, PG, Gandhi, MK, Jackson, G, McLelland, J, O'Brien, H, Smith, S, Reid, MM, Pearson, ADJ and Hall, AG (2000). A comparison of molecular and enzyme-based assays for the detection of thiopurine methyltransferase mutations. British Journal of Haematology, 110 (3), 599-604. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2000.02218.x
2000
Journal Article
Status of Cytomegalovirus prevention and treatment in 2000
Zaia, John A., Sissons, J. G. Patrick, Riddell, Stanley, Diamond, Don J., Wills, M. R., Carmichael, A. J., Weekes, M. P., Gandhi, M., La Rosa, C., Villacres, M., Lacey, S., Markel, S. and Sun, J. (2000). Status of Cytomegalovirus prevention and treatment in 2000. Hematology, 339-355. doi: 10.1182/asheducation-2000.1.339
1999
Journal Article
A comparison of CD34(+) cell selected and unselected autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma: a case controlled analysis
Gandhi, MK, Jestice, HK, Scott, MA, Bloxham, DM, Bass, G, Craig, JIO and Marcus, RE (1999). A comparison of CD34(+) cell selected and unselected autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma: a case controlled analysis. Bone Marrow Transplantation, 24 (4), 369-375. doi: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1701938
1999
Conference Publication
Influenza vaccination is ineffective in the first 2 years after stem cell transplant.
Gandhi, MK, Egner, W, Inman, I, Craig, JIO and Marcus, RE (1999). Influenza vaccination is ineffective in the first 2 years after stem cell transplant.. OXFORD: BLACKWELL SCIENCE LTD.
1999
Conference Publication
A case controlled comparison between CD34(+) cell selected and unselected autologous PBSCT for multiple myeloma.
Gandhi, MK, Jestice, HK, Scott, MA, Bloxham, DM, Bass, G, Craig, J and Marcus, RE (1999). A case controlled comparison between CD34(+) cell selected and unselected autologous PBSCT for multiple myeloma.. BASINGSTOKE: STOCKTON PRESS.
1999
Journal Article
The minimum CD34 threshold depends on prior chemotherapy in autologous peripheral blood stem cell recipients
Gandhi, MK, Jestice, K, Scott, MA, Bloxham, D, Bass, G and Marcus, RE (1999). The minimum CD34 threshold depends on prior chemotherapy in autologous peripheral blood stem cell recipients. Bone Marrow Transplantation, 23 (1), 9-13. doi: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1701530
1998
Journal Article
A trend towards an increased incidence of chronic graft-versus-host disease following allogeneic peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation: a case controlled study
Scott, MA, Gandhi, MK, Jestice, HK, Mahendra, P, Bass, G and Marcus, RE (1998). A trend towards an increased incidence of chronic graft-versus-host disease following allogeneic peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation: a case controlled study. Bone Marrow Transplantation, 22 (3), 273-276. doi: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1701327
1998
Conference Publication
Reduced bone mineral density (BMD) in males and females after bone marrow transplant (BMT).
Gandhi, MK, Sizer, L, Compston, JE, Prevost, A and Marcus, RE (1998). Reduced bone mineral density (BMD) in males and females after bone marrow transplant (BMT).. OXFORD: AMER SOC HEMATOLOGY.
1998
Conference Publication
Allogeneic peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation: A case controlled study of GVHD.
Scott, MA, Gandhi, MK, Jestice, HK, Mahendra, P and Marcus, RE (1998). Allogeneic peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation: A case controlled study of GVHD.. BASINGSTOKE: STOCKTON PRESS.
1997
Conference Publication
Febrile neutropenia after hematopoietic stem cell mobilization with chemotherapy and G-CSF does not affect collection of adequate numbers of CD34+ cells.
Yee, K, Tu, JV, MacKinnon, J, Gandhi, M, Stewart, AK, Saragosa, R, Keating, A and Crump, M (1997). Febrile neutropenia after hematopoietic stem cell mobilization with chemotherapy and G-CSF does not affect collection of adequate numbers of CD34+ cells.. PHILADELPHIA: W B SAUNDERS CO.
1997
Conference Publication
Qualitative difference in CD34 counts in multiple myeloma (MM) and breast cancer (BCa) patient (PT) stem cell grafts.
Simpson, DR, Gandhi, MK, Stewart, AK, Crump, M and Keating, A (1997). Qualitative difference in CD34 counts in multiple myeloma (MM) and breast cancer (BCa) patient (PT) stem cell grafts.. CHARLOTTESVILLE: CARDEN JENNINGS PUBL CO LTD.
1997
Conference Publication
Autologous marrow and/or blood cell transplantation (ABMT) for follicular large cell lymphoma (FLC)
Simpson, DR, Gandhi, MK, Stewart, AK, Crump, M and Keating, A (1997). Autologous marrow and/or blood cell transplantation (ABMT) for follicular large cell lymphoma (FLC). CHARLOTTESVILLE: CARDEN JENNINGS PUBL CO LTD.
1997
Conference Publication
Febrile neutropenia does not affect collection of adequate CD34+ cells after mobilization with chemotherapy and G-CSF
Yee, K, Tu, JV, MacKinnon, J, Gandhi, M, Stewart, AK, Saragosa, R, Keating, A and Crump, M (1997). Febrile neutropenia does not affect collection of adequate CD34+ cells after mobilization with chemotherapy and G-CSF. CHARLOTTESVILLE: CARDEN JENNINGS PUBL CO LTD.
1997
Conference Publication
Pre-autologous bone marrow transplant (ABMT) screening for HLA antibodies does not predict for platelet alloimmunization post-ABMT: A case controlled study
Gandhi, MK, Simpson, D, Yee, K, MacKinnon, J, Stewart, AK, Crump, M and Keating, A (1997). Pre-autologous bone marrow transplant (ABMT) screening for HLA antibodies does not predict for platelet alloimmunization post-ABMT: A case controlled study. CHARLOTTESVILLE: CARDEN JENNINGS PUBL CO LTD.
1996
Conference Publication
A multicentre study of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in combination with consolidation therapy in adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Keating, A, Gandhi, MK, Crump, M, Smith, A, Belch, A and Baker, MA (1996). A multicentre study of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in combination with consolidation therapy in adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML).. PHILADELPHIA: W B SAUNDERS CO.
1996
Conference Publication
Treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at diagnosis in 99 unselected adults with high dose ARA-C (HIDAC) and mitoxantrone: Long-term follow-up.
Keating, A, Gandhi, MK, Crump, M, Smith, A, Belch, A and Baker, MA (1996). Treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at diagnosis in 99 unselected adults with high dose ARA-C (HIDAC) and mitoxantrone: Long-term follow-up.. PHILADELPHIA: W B SAUNDERS CO.
1996
Conference Publication
Congenital deficiency of thiopurine methyltransferase as a cause of pancytopenia in patients treated with azathioprine
Hall, AG, Rabello, C, Jackson, G, Gandhi, MK and OBrien, H (1996). Congenital deficiency of thiopurine methyltransferase as a cause of pancytopenia in patients treated with azathioprine. OXFORD: BLACKWELL SCIENCE LTD.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Maher Gandhi is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Impact of genetics upon the tumour microenvironment in Follicular Lymphoma
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Joshua Tobin, Dr Soi Law, Associate Professor Colm Keane
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Doctor Philosophy
Personalised therapy for lymphoma
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Kristen Radford
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Doctor Philosophy
Metabolic Reprogramming of Malignant B-cells Impairs Immune-Fitness of Intratumoral T-Cells in Follicular Lymphoma
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Joshua Tobin, Dr Soi Law
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Doctor Philosophy
Personalised therapy for lymphoma
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Kristen Radford
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Doctor Philosophy
Impact of genetics upon the tumour microenvironment in Follicular Lymphoma
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Joshua Tobin, Dr Soi Law, Associate Professor Colm Keane
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Master Philosophy
Developing Companion Biomarkers Application in Follicular Lymphoma
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Adam Ewing, Dr Joshua Tobin
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of novel vaccines for cancer immunotherapy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kelvin Tuong, Honorary Professor Kristen Radford
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Doctor Philosophy
Utilising alternative cytokine receptor signalling for enhanced cell-based cancer immunotherapy.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Soi Law, Dr Joshua Tobin
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigations in the development of cord blood derived, GMP grade cellular immunotherapies
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Kristen Radford
Completed supervision
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
A Comprehensive Study of Intratumoural T-cells in Follicular Lymphoma
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Soi Law, Associate Professor Colm Keane
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Clinical and Prognostic Tools to Improve Frontline Management Strategies in Follicular Lymphoma
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Colm Keane
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
The impact of deficient antigen presentation on the tumour microenvironment of diffuse large B cell lymphoma
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Colm Keane
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
A LABORATORY STUDY OF PRIMARY CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM LYMPHOMA
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Colm Keane
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2016
Master Philosophy
Killer cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors in Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)
Principal Advisor
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Novel strategies for monitoring, treating and preventing Epstein Barr virus-associated Lymphomas
Principal Advisor
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Characterising miRNA - gene network associated with natural killer cell activation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Soi Law
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Deciphering the structure and function of class I cytokine receptors: GHR and GP130
Associate Advisor
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
IRE1-mediated splicing of xbp1 in Natural Killer cells
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
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- Biomarkers
- Immunotherapy
- Lymphoma
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