PyCon AU 2024

Edwina Mead BEng (Hons), MPH, MGH
PhD student, UTS
Research Assistant, UNSW

Edwina is a PhD student in Public Health at the University of Technology Sydney, where she is combining her software engineering background with cutting-edge health research. She is harnessing Python's powerful data processing capabilities to automate a complex systematic review, synthesising vast amounts of medical literature to create a more holistic understanding of the far-reaching impacts of current maternity practices on women, children, health systems, and even the environment.

In her role as a research assistant at UNSW, Edwina applies Python to rapidly analyse administrative data on ambulance attendances for drowning in NSW. This work has expanded our understanding of the drowning burden in the state, showcasing Python's versatility in public health research.

Edwina's innovative approaches demonstrate how Python can accelerate and enhance research in public health, from streamlining data analysis to increasing the scope and depth of evidence synthesis.

When she's not immersed in code or health data, Edwina can be found wrangling her two young children and playfully introducing them to computational thinking concepts - perhaps nurturing the next generation of Python enthusiasts!