Jonathan Kaufman

Jonathan Kaufman

Graduate Research Topic

Jonathan’s PhD, completed in 2020, studied diagnostic processes for young children with urinary tract infections, a very common condition encountered by clinicians across general practice, paediatrics, and emergency medicine. He developed a novel method of sample collection which is quick for clinicians and gentle for children, and used qualitative and health economic data to inform research translation.

His randomized controlled trial was published in the high-ranking medical journal The BMJ, and the new method he devised is now the recommended clinical practice in several international guidelines. Jonathan’s PhD included 9 first author publications in peer-reviewed journals, 12 national and international conference presentations, and received over 30 research awards, grants and prizes as well as the 2021 University of Melbourne Chancellors Prize.

Years: 2015 - 2020
Supervisors: Professor Lena Sanci and Professor Meredith Temple-Smith.

What has happened in your career since you completed your GR?

I’m now a General Paediatrician and Director of Clinical Training at the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Western Health. I’m still doing research but more focussed on clinical work and teaching at this stage. And I have two young kids that keep me busy.

What was the best thing about your GR?

Without doubt the best thing was the support of my amazing supervisors Meredith and Lena, closely followed by the camaraderie with my writing buddies in the Department of General Practice and Primary Care, including Liz McLindon and Kylie McKenzie. I couldn’t have done it without them!

What is one piece of advice you would give to current GR students?

I have three!

• Be curious: If you see something that is missing, doesn’t make sense or could be improved, ask why, and respectfully challenge dogma and hubris.
• Be kind: Always be generous and support your colleagues. What’s the point of being successful if you have to trample over others to get there.
• Be persistent: People might say it won’t work or it can’t be done. They may or may not be right. The reward comes from the sincere effort, not the result.