AID 2026 Research Symposium Program
Time | Session |
09:00–09:15 | Welcome & Acknowledgement of Country |
09:15–09:45 | Opening Keynote – Prof. Helen Marshall, University of Adelaide, EUREKA Prize for Infection Diseases Research 2025. Presentation title: "Centre of Research Excellence in Neisseria disease control - Prevention of two serious infectious diseases with one vaccine." |
09:45–09:55 | Opportunities arising from AID-BRIN collaborative workshops (Dr Zeinab Khalil; Dr Maggy Lord) |
09:55–11:10 | Session 1: Next generation epidemic intelligence (Co-chairs: A/Prof Nicolas Smoll; Dr Léanie Kleynhans) |
09:55-10:10 | A/Prof Gordana Rasic: From detection to anticipation: community-embedded genomic surveillance for mosquito-borne disease threats |
10:10-10:25 | Dr Kym Lowry: Tracking infectious diseases using NGS and emerging ultra-rapid amplification-free technologies: from wastewater to nasal swabs! |
10:25-10:40 | A/Prof Krispin Hajkowicz: Next generation epidemic intelligence on the front line |
10:40-10:55 | Prof Greg Fox: Scaling up screening for TB in high-burden settings |
10:55-11:10 | A/Prof Adam Irwin: A next generation approach to early sepsis recognition in children |
11:10–11:40 | Morning Tea + Networking |
11:40–12:55 | Session 2: Climate, vectors & one-health preparedness (Co-chairs: Dr Beatris Martin; Dr Swaid Abdullah) |
11:40-11:55 | A/Prof Leon Hugo: Climate Suitability and Transmission Risk of Japanese Encephalitis Virus in Australia |
11:55-12:10 | Prof Ricardo Soares Magalhães: Climate sensitive disease prioritisation and geospatial modelling: examples of regional, national and subnational implementation 2022-2026 |
12:10-12:25 | Dr Carla Vieira: Spatial gene expression atlas of Aedes aegypti for understanding flavivirus transmission |
12:25-12:40 | Dr Deborah Akinlotan: Spatial optimisation of Wolbachia biocontrol for Culex-transmitted flaviviruses in Queensland |
12:40-12:55 | Dr Lara Herrero: Before the Bite: Preparing for the Next Arboviral Threat |
12:55–13:45 13:45–15:00 | Lunch + HDR/ECR Poster Session (10 posters) Session 3: Host-pathogen mechanisms/interactions (Co-chairs: Dr Yomani Sarathkumara; Dr Marcela Montes de Oca) |
13:45-14:00 | Dr Carmen Mathmann: Uncovering a Novel Regulator of TLR4-Driven Type I Interferon Responses |
14:00-14:15 | Dr Rabina Giri: OTUD3 regulates host susceptibility to environmental and infectious challenges |
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14:15-14:30 | Prof Mark Schembri: Antibiotic resistant uropathogenic E. coli - it’s all about the clones |
14:30-14:45 | Prof Gabrielle Belz: Building a Better Strep A Vaccine: Antigen Selection and Immunogenicity Insights |
14:45-15:00 | Dr Lachlan de Hayr: Lost in Translation: Flavivirus infection and the production of tRNA halves |
15:00–15:30 | Afternoon Tea + Networking |
15:30–16:45 | Session 4: Diagnostics and therapeutics (Co-chairs: Dr Rhys Parry; Dr Johanna Richter) |
15:30-15:45 | Prof Katja Fischer: Diagnostics and therapeutics for scabies |
15:45-16:00 | Dr Emily Strong: Redefining Early Drug Discovery for Tuberculosis |
16:00-16:15 | A/Prof Catherine Rush: Melioidosis on the Move: Connecting Climate, Soil, Water and Human Health in the Tropics |
16:15-16:30 | Dr Ariel Isaacs: Broad spectrum vaccines and therapeutics for emerging viral pathogens |
16:30-16:45 | Dr Jessica Engel: Understanding CD4+ T cell differentiation dynamics during parasitic infections |
16:45–17:30 | Policy & translation forum: Preventing Aedes aegypti re-establishment and associated dengue transmission in Brisbane (Moderator: Prof Nigel Beebe; Panellists: Dr Brendan Trewin, A/Prof Leon Hugo, |
17:30–19:00 | Dr Cassie Jansen, Dr Darren Alsemgeest) Networking Drinks & Canapés + HDR/ECR Poster Session (10 posters) |
AID Research Symposium 2025
The 2025 AID Research Symposium brought together researchers from UQ, QIMR Berghofer, BRIN, and partner institutes for a vibrant day of talks exploring innovation across the infectious disease research landscape.
The program featured sessions spanning infection prevention and diagnosis, microbial pathogenesis and host–microbe interactions, and treatment innovations and antimicrobial resistance. Highlights included the
uplenary presentation by Professor Rachel Thompson (UQ Medical School and Head, Greenslopes Clinical Unit) on personalised medicine for nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease, as well as the presentation by Professor Cameron Simmons, Head of the Sanofi Translational Science Hub, on partnerships for impact through Sanofi’s Sanofi Translational Science Hub.
The symposium also featured talks from presenters across all career stages on topics showcasing the breadth of expertise and research capacity within the AID network. Presentations by Dr Tarwadi and Dr Utomo, our invited guests from the National Research and Innovation Agency Indonesia (BRIN) offered excellent opportunities to explore new collaborations between AID and BRIN researchers.
A heartfelt thank you to all our speakers, chairs, and participants for making the event such a success. The energy and collaboration on display reflect the strength of the partnership between Brisbane-based scientists and the international research community, driving forward innovative infectious disease research in Australia and beyond.
AID-BRIN Workshop 2025
The AID–BRIN Workshop brought together researchers from AID and Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to share insights and strengthen collaborative research ties.
The workshop drew 58 in-person and 83 online participants, featuring presentations on antimicrobial discovery, antimicrobial resistance, dengue, malaria, and tuberculosis. A highlight of the day was the lively discussions and exchange of ideas that set the stage for future joint research initiatives. The workshop concluded with a networking session that encouraged new collaborations and friendships across borders.
Thank you to all speakers, chairs, and participants for contributing to a productive and inspiring day of international partnership.
