aydin.pourmoslemi@students.mq.edu.au
Degree: PhD
Thesis topic: Designing an Ethical Framework for Surgical Innovation
Supervisor: Professor Wendy Rogers
Associate Supervisor: Dr Mianna Lotz
Scholarship: Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarship (MQRES)

I was born in 10 July 1977 in Tehran/Iran and received my doctorate in medicine from Tehran Azad Uni in 2004 and immigrated to Australia in September 2008. For the last 15 years I have worked in different fields including as journalist, author and editor, TV writer and presenter, medical officer, chairman of the board of a private research and publication centre, educational consultant and member of life skills committee in Iran’s ministry of education, research consultant and project manager for different companies from health sector to management service companies, member of supreme legislative and policy council of Iran Taekwondo federation and even body-language instructor.

I have had a long standing interest in cognitive sciences. My initial explorations of this field began when I was a medical student which granted me a familiarity with neuroscience which led me on a journey through the fields of psychology, education and philosophy. My diverse background has always been held together by a common thread; my passionate and profound desire for a better understanding of human nature! This diversity not only has helped me to pursue this goal but also has given me a perspective and deep appreciation for interdisciplinary fields of research in the human sciences.

Since arriving in Australia I have decided to fulfill my lifelong intellectual dream; and to bridge the gap between my medical background and my diverse experiences. Meeting with professor Wendy Rogers was a unique opportunity and wonderful gift that enabled me to fulfill a dream I have had for around 10 years! Now, as a PhD candidate in philosophy, my research focuses on designing an ethical framework for surgical innovation. Some of the major aims of my work are to provide a working definition of innovation and surgical innovation, to devise a theory of ethical practice in surgery, ethics of surgical innovation and surgical research and formulate distinctions between surgical innovation and surgical research. I will examine a broad range of research into the ethics of surgical innovation and will investigate into the Australian surgeons’ point of view by interviewing a representative sample of local surgeons. This data will be used to critique and shed light on the theoretical literature, and in turn, theoretical concepts will be used to critique medical practice where relevant. The final expected outcomes will be, firstly, a detailed account of surgical innovation that identifies ethical issues in practice, secondly a comprehensive and precise guideline and ethical framework for surgical innovation in Australia and finally, an account of informed consent for innovative surgery in Australia. My two main criteria for these outcomes will be transparency and accountability.

Publications and Presentations