Abrar is a medical epidemiologist with more than 22 years of experience in the health sector, working with governmental, non-governmental, and international health organizations. He has substantial experience in public health programs and infectious diseases research, having worked with the World Health Organization (WHO) for many years. Currently, he is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Population Health at the University of New South Wales,...view more
Abrar is a medical epidemiologist with more than 22 years of experience in the health sector, working with governmental, non-governmental, and international health organizations. He has substantial experience in public health programs and infectious diseases research, having worked with the World Health Organization (WHO) for many years. Currently, he is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Population Health at the University of New South Wales, Australia. He also serves as the Deputy Director of Teaching and the Director of the Master of Infectious Diseases Intelligence (MIDI) Program at the School.
His research interests include the epidemiology and control of infectious diseases, with a focus on emerging and re-emerging infections. He has published more than 170 journal papers, one book chapter, three government reports, and 12 conference papers/abstracts over the last 10 years. Abrar provided leadership during COVID-19 through publications, media interactions, and committee memberships. In 2021, he was seconded to the NSW Health COVID-19 Emergency Operation Center.
Abrar convenes two infectious diseases courses at the School of Population Health. He also leads work-integrated learning (WIL) at the School and supervises PhD, Masters, and Independent Learning Program (ILP) students.
My Grants
2020-2021 MRFF Research Grants A randomised controlled trial of mask use in control of respiratory outcomes during bushfire season MacIntyre, Shah, Seale, Chughtai
My Qualifications
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
Master in Public Health (MPH) in Infectious Diseases Epidemiology and Control
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
My Awards
Alan Hodgkinson prize for outstanding contribution to teaching in 2020 from School of Population Health
Early career researcher teaching award in 2018 from School of Population Health
Finalist in the 2017 and 2021 Eureka Prizes
Won the CAPHIA Research Team Prize in 2017
“Best Thesis Award” 2015 - School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW
Dean’s Award from Faculty of Medicine UNSW (November 2013), acknowledging the achievements with the potential to become nationally competitive researcher
Competitive International Postgraduate Scholarship by University of New South Wales for PhD in Public Health and Community Medicine in Australia – 2012-2015
Competitive Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) scholarship for Master in Public Health in Australia – 2009
My Research Activities
Abrar's research interests include infectious diseases epidemiology and control, vaccine-preventable diseases and surveillance. He is an emerging leader in hospital infection control research and has conducted numerous epidemiological, clinical, and policy studies to examine various non-pharmaceutical control measures, particularly the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in both high and low-income countries.
His most significant research contributions have been in examining the role of facemasks in resource-limited settings. His research group has conducted the largest body of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the use of masks and respirators in Australia and internationally to date. Among the seven published RCTs on mask/respirator use in healthcare settings, four were conducted by his group. Due to this work, his research group was a finalist in the Australian Eureka Prizes in Infectious Diseases in 2017 and 2021 and won the CAPHIA Team Award in 2017 for Excellence and Innovation in Public Health Research.
He is also studying the association between infections and congenital anomalies, using large linked databases and the Australian & New Zealand Neonatal Network (ANZNN) dataset.
Since 2012, he has co-authored more than 170 publications that have been instrumental in the development and modification of national and international infection control policies.
My Research Supervision
Areas of supervision
Infectious diseases epidemiology and control
Vaccine preventable diseases
Infectious diseases surveillance
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Currently supervising
PhD, Masters, internship and independent learning program (ILP) students.
My Engagement
Abrar has been working as temporary advisor/ consultant with Eastern Mediterranean Region of World Health Organisation.
Abrar has an extensive experience of working in humanitarian emergencies in low resource settings.
Abrar has been appointed a member of the Human Research Advisory Panel: (HREAP) G: Health, Medical, Community and Social since September 2019. The membership on the panel is for three years and considered as a significant responsibility and an extremely important contribution to research in the University.
Abrar is also member of level 3 WHS committee in SPHCM UNSW since 2014.
My Teaching
Currently convening two courses at School of Population Health
Outbreak investigation and intelligence (PHCM9788)
Communicable diseases (PHCM2004)
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4203-7891