Kathmandu, November 4:

A Nepali citizen, Kiran Shah, was recently awarded PhD degree by the Swinburne University of Technology of Victoria, Australia.

A resident of Balkhu, Kathmandu, Shah, was awarded the degree upon successful completion of the study on her thesis titled “Molecular Epidemiology of Rotaviruses isolated from Hospitalised Children in Melbourne.”

According to the Swinburne University of Technology, her research was carried out on genetic studies of rotavirus isolates collected from children hospitalised with severe gastroenteritis in Melbourne over a six-year period. “Using state-of-art molecular genetic techniques, it was discovered that the virus was able to dramatically alter its genetic make up and change its immune characteristics,” the University stated.

The Australian university has also stated that the study has important implications for the successful implementation of vaccination programmes in Australia and globally.