At the start of this year, the UQ Poche Centre welcomed two students to experience what it takes to be a researcher, develop new skills, and explore the future of Indigenous health through the UQ Summer Research Program.
The UQ Summer and Winter Research Programs, which have been running for over ten years, give students the chance to work alongside UQ researchers, advance their learning, and gain first‑hand experience doing real research. This opportunity creates space for students to explore their research interests and imagine new possibilities for their careers.
Over the past six weeks, we were delighted to have two Summer Scholars join us at the Centre, working alongside our team and contributing to research projects that support better health and wellbeing outcomes for Indigenous peoples.
We welcomed Yashas Garg, a Master of Data Science student who worked with Dr Carol El‑Hayek and the ATLAS team on developing a REDCap database to support clinic engagement and project compliance. We were also joined by Jeyaseelan Uthayaseelan, a Master of Audiology Studies student supervised by Dr Saira Sanjida, who undertook a systematic review examining frequent hospital readmissions among First Nations peoples.
Building a REDCap database for managing clinic engagement and project compliance
Supporting the ATLAS Indigenous Primary Care Surveillance and Research Network, this project focused on developing a central database to strengthen the network’s operations by improving how key information is captured, maintained, and used.
Summer Scholar Yashas reflected on his experience with the project, its impact, and what he learned during his time with the Centre.
“As a Master of Data Science student, working with data systems is central to my studies, and this placement gave me a real-world opportunity to build one that people will actually use. I developed practical database and REDCap skills (data structure, instruments, repeating records, validation rules, and import workflows). A big learning area was communicating technical decisions in simple language for a non-technical audience, and collaborating in a multidisciplinary team. It also strengthened my time management and prioritisation, especially balancing build work, documentation, and user testing.
Moving from large Excel files to a structured REDCap database will improve efficiency for the ATLAS team by centralising site, contact, reporting, and compliance information in one place, reducing duplication and manual follow‑ups. For ACCHOs, it supports clearer, more consistent and streamlined communication. Overall, it strengthens day‑to‑day operations and supports trusted program reporting.
The Summer Scholar program has broadened how I think about research, not just as analysis, but as building systems and processes that support real‑world impact. Working with ATLAS helped me understand how good data infrastructure enables stronger research, better reporting, and smoother collaboration with partners. It also made research feel more people‑focused: listening to users, designing for busy teams, and being mindful of how information is collected and used. I’ve enjoyed it so much that I’m now seriously considering a future research pathway, including the possibility of a PhD.
My biggest takeaway from the experience has been the importance of coordination and communication in delivering something useful. Building the database was only part of the work, the real impact came from aligning with the team’s needs, agreeing on a clear structure, and documenting decisions so others can continue after I leave. I’ve also grown in presenting my work as a clear “story” (problem → approach → outcome → next steps), which is essential when working with different stakeholders. Overall, I’ve learned how to turn a complex task into an organised, collaborative project.”
Frequent hospital readmissions among First Nations People: A systematic review
This review explored patterns of hospital readmissions among First Nations peoples across Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, recognising that many Indigenous peoples experience barriers to accessing timely and appropriate primary health care.
Jeyaseelan spoke about the project and what he gained from his Summer Scholar experience.
“This review has the potential to identify healthcare system, social, and access-related factors that contribute to hospital readmissions among First Nations peoples. By bringing together evidence from multiple settings and populations, it can highlight consistent gaps in culturally safe care, discharge planning, follow-up support, and access to primary care. Importantly, synthesising both quantitative outcomes and reported patient or family perspectives can provide a comprehensive overview of systematic barriers within the healthcare system. The findings may strengthen the evidence base of policy reform, workforce training, and redesign of hospital-community care pathways. Ultimately, this review could support more culturally responsive and equitable healthcare systems aimed at reducing preventable readmissions and improving long-term outcomes for First Nations peoples.
The project aligned closely with my long-term goal of contributing to more equitable and accessible healthcare, particularly for underserved and First Nations communities. As a future clinician and researcher, I hope to work within systems that prioritise culturally safe and patient-centred care. It has also reinforced my interest in creating stronger collaboration between academic institutions and communities to support meaningful and sustainable health outcomes. Through my involvement, particularly in screening studies, I have developed skills in applying inclusion and exclusion criteria systematically, interpreting research aims and methodologies, and assessing study relevance. This process has strengthened my attention to detail, research literacy, and understanding of how rigorous evidence is generated through systematic reviews. Overall, this experience has helped build a strong foundation for contributing to evidence-based practice and future research that supports equitable healthcare delivery.
This experience has shown me that not all research is conducted in the same way. Some areas, particularly Indigenous health research, require extensive consultation, approvals, and multiple revisions before commencement to ensure the work is culturally safe, respectful, and community-informed. This has helped me appreciate the responsibility researchers hold when working with First Nations communities. Throughout the Summer Scholar program, I have participated in meetings and seminars where stakeholders, colleagues, and funding bodies shared their perspectives on Indigenous research and the values that should guide it. Hearing these viewpoints has reshaped how I think about research. I now see it not only as an academic task, but as a tool for meaningful and ethical impact. This experience has strengthened my commitment to pursuing future work that contributes to equitable and culturally responsive healthcare for these communities.
When I reflect on my time in the Summer Scholar Program, my biggest takeaway is gaining a deeper respect for systematic reviews. I previously underestimated the complexity of systematic reviews. I now understand they are far from simple studies. They require months, sometimes years, of screening, reviewing, synthesising evidence, and carefully connecting findings before anything is written. The process demands patience, precision and sustained attention to detail. Equally important, I have learned that Indigenous health research is inherently collaborative. It cannot be conducted in isolation or without meaningful connection to the communities it concerns. Research in this space is guided by shared values, consultation and respect. What makes it powerful is that it is driven not only by academics but by communities seeking to reshape systems and achieve equitable care. That perspective has significantly shaped how I now view Indigenous research.”
