Personal profile
Research Biography
Dr Shalem Leemaqz is a postdoctoral researcher at the Pregnancy Health and Beyond (PHaB) Lab, College of Medicine and Public Health and a biostatistician. His current research aims to model risks for pregnancy complications through statistical and data mining techniques, with a focus on advanced mathematical and statistical modelling of high-dimensional data. He has a background in Mathematics/Statistics and Electronic Systems Engineering, with knowledge of computer architecture and machine learning techniques, and experience in programming using various languages with expertise in R statistical programming.
During his PhD (2010 – 2015) with the Placental Development Group in the Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School at the University of Adelaide, he established the theoretical basis of a novel tiered modelling approach which enables classification of low-prevalence outcomes into low, moderate and high risk levels. This modelling concept was applied to develop screening tools for preeclampsia, preterm birth, intrauterine growth restriction and gestational diabetes, which were the subject of a PCT application filed 23 March 2016.
He is committed to bringing quality statistics into medical research, with great interests in applied mathematics and statistics to model complex health-related Big-data. He collaborate with bioinformaticians to develop methods to analyse and integrate genomic data together with clinical data.
Education/Academic qualification
PhD, Predicting risk for pregnancy complications, University of Adelaide
2010 → 2015
Master, Applied Statistics, Macquarie University
2009
Bachelor of Science, Mathematics/Statistics & Electronic Systems Engineering, University of South Australia
2006 → 2008
External positions
Statistician, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
2018 → …
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Long-term Impact of Invasive Meningococcal Disease in Australian Adolescents and Young Adults
McMillan, M., Buttery, J., Angliss, M., Barton, B., Synn, A., Blyth, C. C., Booy, R., Mathew, S. M., Shaw, D., Gordon, D., Leemaqz, S., Warner, M., Nelson, R., Hannah, R., Runnegar, N., Cheng, A. C. & Marshall, H. S., Jan 2026, In: The Pediatric infectious disease journal. 45, 1, p. 17-23 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Persistent menstruation in transgender people using testosterone gender-affirming hormone therapy
Zwickl, S., Wong, A. F. Q., Burchill, L., Leemaqz, S. Y., Cook, T., Angus, L. M., Eshin, K., Elder, C. V., Grover, S. R. & Cheung, A. S., 2026, In: International Journal of Transgender Health. 27, 2, p. 662-673 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile5 Citations (Scopus)260 Downloads (Pure) -
Effect of Spironolactone and Cyproterone Acetate on Breast Growth in Transgender People: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Angus, L. M., Leemaqz, S. Y., Kasielska-Trojan, A. K., Mikołajczyk, M., Doery, J. C. G., Zajac, J. D. & Cheung, A. S., 1 Jun 2025, In: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 110, 6, p. e1874-e1884 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile7 Citations (Scopus)96 Downloads (Pure) -
Maternal Folate Excess, Placental Hormones, and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Findings from Prospective Cohorts Before and After Mandatory Folic Acid Food Fortification
Jankovic-Karasoulos, T., Smith, M. D., Leemaqz, S., Mittinty, M., Williamson, J., McCullough, D., Arthurs, A. L., Dekker, G. A. & Roberts, C. T., 1 Sept 2025, In: Nutrients. 17, 17, 16 p., 2863.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Citations (Scopus)7 Downloads (Pure) -
Scalp hair parameter changes in transgender individuals commencing gender-affirming hormone therapy: A 24-week prospective observational study
Tang, G. T., Sinclair, R., Leemaqz, S. & Cheung, A. S., Jun 2025, In: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 92, 6, p. 1390-1394 5 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Citations (Scopus)99 Downloads (Pure)