
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
2009
Journal Article
Selective accumulation of virus-specific CD8(+) T cells within the peripheral blood stem cell compartment
Singh, Sanjleena, van Hauten, Paulien, Jones, Kimberley, Grimmett, Karen, Mills, Anthony K. and Gandhi, Maher K. (2009). Selective accumulation of virus-specific CD8(+) T cells within the peripheral blood stem cell compartment. Blood, 114 (9), 2001-2003. doi: 10.1182/blood-2009-05-221267
2009
Conference Publication
Ebv Microrna Expression in An In-Vitro Model of B-Cell Differentiation and Lymphomagenesis
Nourse, P., Jones, K., Crooks, P. and Gandhi, M. K. (2009). Ebv Microrna Expression in An In-Vitro Model of B-Cell Differentiation and Lymphomagenesis. 14th Annual Meeting of the European-Hematology-Association, Berlin Germany, Jun 04-07, 2009. WASHINGTON: AMER SOC HEMATOLOGY.
2009
Journal Article
High levels of BACH2 associated with lower levels of BCL2 transcript abundance in t(14;18)(q21;q34) translocation positive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Green, Michael, Gandhi, Maher K, Camilleri, Emily, Marlton, Paula, Lea, Rod and Griffiths, Lyn (2009). High levels of BACH2 associated with lower levels of BCL2 transcript abundance in t(14;18)(q21;q34) translocation positive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Leukemia Research, 33 (5), 731-734. doi: 10.1016/j.leukres.2008.09.007
2009
Journal Article
Epstein-Barr virus DNA as a biomarker for Epstein-Barr virus-positive lymphomas: Are we there yet?
Jones, Kimberley and Gandhi, Maher K. (2009). Epstein-Barr virus DNA as a biomarker for Epstein-Barr virus-positive lymphomas: Are we there yet?. Leukemia and Lymphoma, 50 (5), 684-686. doi: 10.1080/10428190902847716
2009
Journal Article
What changes are needed to the current direction and interpretation of clinical cancer research to meet the needs of the 21st century?
Gandhi, Maher K. (2009). What changes are needed to the current direction and interpretation of clinical cancer research to meet the needs of the 21st century?. Medical Journal of Australia, 190 (8), 461-461.
2009
Journal Article
The role of Epstein-Barr virus in Richter syndrome
Nourse, Jamie, Jones, Kimberley and Gandhi, Maher K. (2009). The role of Epstein-Barr virus in Richter syndrome. British Journal of Haematology, 144 (4), 613-613. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2008.07471.x
2009
Journal Article
Relative abundance of full-length and truncated FOXP1 isoforms is associated with differential NF kappa B activity in Follicular Lymphoma
Green, Michael R., Gandhi, Maher K., Courtney, Mark J., Marlton, Paula and Griffiths, Lyn (2009). Relative abundance of full-length and truncated FOXP1 isoforms is associated with differential NF kappa B activity in Follicular Lymphoma. Leukemia Research, 33 (12), 1699-1702. doi: 10.1016/j.leukres.2009.05.004
2009
Book Chapter
Genetic susceptibility to complex traits: moving towards informed analysis of whole-genome screens
Green, Michael R., Camilleri, Emily, Gandhi, Maher K. and Griffiths, Lyn R. (2009). Genetic susceptibility to complex traits: moving towards informed analysis of whole-genome screens. Human genome: features, variations and genetic disorders. (pp. 167-180) edited by Akio Matsumoto and Mai Nakano. New York, NY, United States: Nova Science.
2008
Journal Article
Immunodeficiency-associated lymphomas
Tran, Huy, Nourse, Jamie, Hall, Sara, Green, Michael, Griffiths, Lyn and Gandhi, Maher K. (2008). Immunodeficiency-associated lymphomas. Blood Reviews, 22 (5), 261-281. doi: 10.1016/j.blre.2008.03.009
2008
Journal Article
A new prognosticator for post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders after renal transplantation
Hourigan, Matthew J., Doecke, James, Mollee, Peter N., Gill, Devinder S., Norris, Debra, Johnson, David W. and Gandhi, Maher K. (2008). A new prognosticator for post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders after renal transplantation. British Journal of Haematology, 141 (6), 904-907. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2008.07149.x
2008
Journal Article
Methotrexate-associated mantle-cell lymphoma in an elderly man with myasthenia gravis
Tran, Huy, Cheung, Catherine, Gill, Devinder, Dua, Ujjwal, Nourse, Jamie, Boyle, Richard and Gandhi, Maher K. (2008). Methotrexate-associated mantle-cell lymphoma in an elderly man with myasthenia gravis. Nature Clinical Practice Oncology, 5 (4), 234-238. doi: 10.1038/ncponc1071
2007
Conference Publication
Immunosuppression (IST) can be safely ceased during chemotherapy for PTLD in renal transplant patients
Mollee, Peter, Hourigan, Matthew, Johnson, David, Jones, Mark, Isbel, Nikki, Hawley, Carmel, Marlton, Paula, Gandhi, Maher, Campbell, Scott and Gill, Devinder (2007). Immunosuppression (IST) can be safely ceased during chemotherapy for PTLD in renal transplant patients. 49th Annual Meeting of the American-Society-of-Hematology, Atlanta, GA USA, 8-11 December 2007. Washington, DC USA: American Society of Hematology.
2007
Journal Article
Immunity, homing and efficacy of allogeneic adoptive immunotherapy for posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders
Gandhi, M., Wilkie, G. M., Dua, U., Mollee, P., Grimmett, K., Williams, T., Whitaker, N., Gill, D. and Crawford, D. (2007). Immunity, homing and efficacy of allogeneic adoptive immunotherapy for posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders. American Journal of Transplantation, 7 (5), 1293-1299. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2007.01796.x
2007
Journal Article
Epstein-Barr virus T-cell immunity despite rituximab
Nehring, Angela K., Dua, Ujjwal, Mollee, Peter, Gill, Devinder, Grimmett, Karen, Khanna, Rajiv, Moss, Denis and Gandhi, Maher K. (2007). Epstein-Barr virus T-cell immunity despite rituximab. British Journal of Haematology, 136 (4), 628-632. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2006.06482.x
2007
Journal Article
Galectin-1 mediated suppression of Epstein-Barr virus-specific T-cell immunity in classic Hodgkin lymphoma
Gandhi, Maher K., Moll, Guido, Smith, Corey, Dua, Ujjwal, Lambley, Eleanore, Ramuz, Olivier, Gill, Devinder, Marlton, Paula, Seymour, John F. and Khanna, Rajiv (2007). Galectin-1 mediated suppression of Epstein-Barr virus-specific T-cell immunity in classic Hodgkin lymphoma. Blood, 110 (4), 1326-1329. doi: 10.1182/blood-2007-01-066100
2007
Journal Article
Allogeneic cytotoxic T-cell therapy for EBV-positive posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disease: results of a phase 2 multicenter clinical trial
Haque, T., Wilkie, G., Jones, M., Higgins, C., Urquhart, G., Wingate, P., Burns, D., McAulay, K., Turner, M., Bellamy, C., Amlot, P., Kelly, D., MacGilchrist, A., Gandhi, M., Swerdlow A. and Crawford, D. (2007). Allogeneic cytotoxic T-cell therapy for EBV-positive posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disease: results of a phase 2 multicenter clinical trial. Blood, 110 (4), 1123-1131. doi: 10.1182/blood-2006-12-063008
2007
Conference Publication
Immunosuppression (IST) Can Be Safely Ceased during Chemotherapy for PTLD in Renal Transplant Patients
Hourigan, Matthew J., Johnson, David W., Jones, Mark, Gill, Devinder S., Isbel, Nikki, Hawley, Carmel M., Marlton, Paula, Ghandhi, Maher, Campbell, Scott B. and Mollee, Peter (2007). Immunosuppression (IST) Can Be Safely Ceased during Chemotherapy for PTLD in Renal Transplant Patients. American Transplant Congress 2007, USA, 5-9 May 2007. UK: Wiley-Blackwell Publising Ltd.. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2007.01811.x
2007
Journal Article
The use of T-cell directed cellular therapies in Australia
Moss, D.J., Khanna, R. and Gandhi, M. (2007). The use of T-cell directed cellular therapies in Australia. Cytotherapy, 9 (3), 222-224. doi: 10.1080/14653240701320288
2007
Conference Publication
Immunosuppression (IST) can be safely ceased during chemotherapy for PTLD in renal transplant patients
Hourigan, Matthew J., Johnson, David W., Jones, Mark, Gill, Devinder S., Isbel, Nikki, Hawley, Carmel M., Marlton, Paula, Gandhi, Maher, Campbell, Scott B. and Mollee, Peter (2007). Immunosuppression (IST) can be safely ceased during chemotherapy for PTLD in renal transplant patients. American Transplant Congress, San Francisco, CA, USA, 5-9 May 2007. Oxford, England: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2007.01811.x
2007
Journal Article
The International Prognostic Index: the “gold-standard” in post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders after renal transplantation
Hourigan, M. J., Mollee, P. N., Gill, D. S., Doecke, J., Norris, D., Johnson, D. W. and Gandhi, M. K.. (2007). The International Prognostic Index: the “gold-standard” in post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders after renal transplantation. American Journal of Transplantation, 7, 399-399.
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
Contact Professor Maher Gandhi directly for media enquiries about:
- Biomarkers
- Immunotherapy
- Lymphoma
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