Mari Takashima

Mari Takashima is a Research Fellow at the University of Queensland's School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work and an Affiliate of the Child Health Research Centre. As a critical care nurse and certified health informatician, she specializes in clinical epidemiology and applied biostatistics with a focus on improving patient care through evidence-based practice and implementation science.

Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Nursing from Griffith University, a Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing from Queensland University of Technology, a Masters (Research) of Clinical Epidemiology from the University of Queensland, and a Doctor of Philosophy of Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Griffith University.

Dr. Takashima's research centers on health services research, particularly invasive medical devices in pediatric care, pediatric respiratory infections, nursing education, and research methodologies. Her work focuses on vascular access devices, complications prevention, and improving clinical practices in pediatric and neonatal settings. She has developed several tools including the PiccPed® app to improve nurses' knowledge about preventing adverse events with peripherally inserted central catheters in pediatric care.

Her publication record demonstrates significant expertise in pediatric vascular access, with numerous systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical studies examining device complications, management strategies, and interventions to improve outcomes. Recent work has expanded into Indigenous health equity, examining reporting practices for Indigenous status in clinical research.

Dr. Takashima is actively involved in multiple research projects including the PENGUIN trial (Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Glue in Newborns), the STICKY Kids trial (Supplemental Tackifier to Intravenous Catheter dressings), and work building capacity to prevent healthcare harm for hospitalized infants. She has secured funding from organizations including the Intensive Care Foundation, Eloquest Healthcare, and NHMRC MRFF.

She collaborates extensively with researchers across disciplines, particularly with Amanda Ullman, and has contributed to numerous multi-site studies examining vascular access practices, device complications, and clinical outcomes in pediatric and neonatal populations. Her work often bridges clinical practice and research methodology, focusing on practical implementation of evidence-based practices.