Innovative research is often a collaborative effort between multiple disciplines. In the past year, several PhD candidates have started interdisciplinary projects that are a collaboration between the Faculty of Economics and Business and other faculties of the University of Groningen. Tamool Muhamed is one of them. In her project on child health outcomes in targeted socioeconomic status groups, she works together with researchers from FEB’s Economics, Econometrics, and Finance department and the University Medical Center Groningen.

Prior experience

“I am from Cairo, Egypt. I finished my bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical sciences there. As soon as I graduated, I got involved in the public health sector, as I worked in quality control at the Egyptian drug authority. Later on, I worked as a medical liaison and held a teaching assistant job at Ahram Canadian University. Then, I aimed to deepen my Epidemiological knowledge by pursuing a master's degree. Thus, I applied and got accepted for a Clinical and Psychosocial Epidemiology degree at the Graduate school of Medical Sciences, of the University of Groningen. After completing my master’s degree, I applied for a PhD position here in Groningen. I started my PhD project last year.”

Research

“The project I am working on involves both research at the Economics, Econometrics, and Finance department of FEB and the Midwifery department of the UMCG. The project aims to alleviate prenatal, maternal and child health outcomes in targeted socioeconomic status groups.  We aim to investigate which modifiable factors are related and most influential to prenatal, maternal and child health outcomes in targeted socioeconomic status groups. Socioeconomic health inequalities exist and are affecting clinical and psychological outcomes of maternal and neonatal health. The project aims to tackle the intertwined individual, societal, and health system-related trajectories that build social gradients, providing a reliable and reproducible approach. Providing a healthier future for the next generations is the passion that drives our project. I believe the human right to live in a healthy environment starts from preconception phases. The project requires epidemiological and econometric approaches; it requires advanced epidemiological study designs, health system analysis, and health econometrics considerations. Thus, an interfaculty project between FEB and UMCG is considered the most scientifically reliable design; enabling precise scientific input and professional collaboration among experts from FEB and UMCG.”

Impact

“Health expenditures are increasing due to the treatment of diseases that could be prevented earlier in life. Thus, focusing efforts towards maternity health and the early phase of life could reduce public and private sector health costs. Additionally, a healthier generation; both physically and mentally, would reflect a higher labour force participation and productivity.”