Dr Pragati Sharma supports research development across allied health and supportive care services within the Children’s Cancer Centre at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH). She works closely with clinicians to translate clinical priorities into qualitative and mixed-methods research that address real-world challenges in paediatric cancer care.

She completed her PhD in neuroscience at the University of Melbourne in collaboration with The Royal Melbourne Hospital, examining predisposition to epileptogenesis and associated behavioural comorbidities. She later undertook postdoctoral research at Monash University and The Alfred Hospital, investigating the molecular and functional links between cardiac ion channels and epilepsy. This foundation supports her interdisciplinary work across neuroscience, neuropsychology, psycho-oncology, diet and nutrition, child life therapy, and palliative care.

Pragati has over 15 years’ experience across laboratory science, clinical research, and health services research. Her role includes project scoping, protocol development, ethics and governance submissions, budgeting, and project coordination, while also supporting the translation of research into practice. She additionally contributes to clinical trial quality and governance through the Melbourne Children’s Trial Centre, supporting compliance, audit processes, and continuous improvement across paediatric clinical trials.

She is also passionate about strengthening research capability within allied health and supportive care services so that evidence informs policy, practice, and patient-centred care.