Experience

The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia

• Research Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• ACTUP-PNG Project Manager

  • Aug 2022 - Present

  Project Manager for ACTUP-PNG, a DFAT Centre for Health Security-funded project focussed on strengthening HIV viral load and drug resistance testing and surveillance in Papua New Guinea. The ACTUP-PNG team is made up of PNG- and Australia-based researchers and project officers with expertise in social science research, virology, laboratory diagnostics, public health and health economics. We are working together to prevent HIV transmission, reduce the high burden of disease for adults and children and improve health policy.



NSW Health

• Hospitals and Health Care
• 700 & Above Employee

• Public Health Surveillance Officer - Infectious Diseases

  • Nov 2021 - Aug 2022

  Notifiable infectious disease surveillance and investigation of respiratory, blood-borne, sexually transmitted, gastrointestinal, zoonotic and food-borne infections, including case interviews and contact tracing. Provision of local public health advice and guidance to residential aged care facilities, disability care homes and childcare centres on management of respiratory and gastrointestinal disease outbreaks. Represented the Public Health Unit on COVID outbreak management team meetings and collaborating with facility managers, Local Health District and Commonwealth Government representatives.



The Westmead Institute for Medical Research

• Australia
• Research Services
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Programs Officer (Research), Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases

  • Jan 2017 - Oct 2021

  Effective program management and strategic research support for three major initiatives - the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Emerging Infectious Diseases (CREID), BEAT COVID-19 research consortium and a planetary and public health research program: WISH Fiji funded by DFAT Centre for Health Security. Fostered cross-disciplinary collaborations and partnerships, managed budgets and expenditure and delivered high-quality progress reports, proposals, policy recommendations and other written communications. Undertook periodic and multi-level program evaluation including assessment of outputs and outcomes for CREID and WISH Fiji. Managed key stakeholder engagement (including government, multinational and NGO representatives). Also developed and implemented education, career development and network building initiatives for the Australian Partnership for Preparedness Research on InfectiouS diseases Emergencies (APPRISE).



University of Sydney

• Australia
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Research Officer

  • Jan 2016 - Dec 2018

  Led and managed the establishment of a collaborative project investigating the long-term outcomes of childhood encephalitis. Critical appraisal and literature review, research partnership development (Brain and Mind Centre, SCHN Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Kids Rehab), ethics submission/approval and governance arrangements. Assisted with management and scheduling of psychosocial assessments, data entry, database maintenance/review and reporting. Led and managed the establishment of a collaborative project investigating the long-term outcomes of childhood encephalitis. Critical appraisal and literature review, research partnership development (Brain and Mind Centre, SCHN Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Kids Rehab), ethics submission/approval and governance arrangements. Assisted with management and scheduling of psychosocial assessments, data entry, database maintenance/review and reporting.



The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network (SCHN)

• Senior Grants and Communications Officer

  • Sep 2014 - Mar 2018

  Led the advancement and innovation of research communication and management activities at Kids Research. Worked with Research Directors, Research Office managers and Program Leads to streamline research support processes and build capacity and partnerships across the Westmead Research Hub and University of Sydney. Investigated and advised on effective SCHN research administration policies. Collaborated with researchers to develop high quality, successful research grants and NHMRC fellowship applications. Wrote and developed external communications for expert and lay audiences: reports, pitch documents, award applications, website content, internal newsletters. Managed the SCHN/Kids Research funding database, established grant submission and internal selection processes, analysed, reviewed and reported on grant funding income and success rates.



UNSW Australia

• Australia
• Research Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Translation Cancer Research Fellow

  • Sep 2012 - Aug 2014

  Led the development and implementation of cancer biobanking (HSA Biobank) cell and tissue retrieval processes, ensuring streamlining and receipt of high quality tissue that met downstream research needs. Involved liaison and negotiation with HSA Biobank and pathology staff, clinicians and cancer researchers across the TCRN network, database management and data quality reviews, and critical appraisal and analysis of scientific and biobanking literature. Produced regular Cancer Institute NSW reports and papers. Worked with cancer researchers to develop high quality research program funding applications and TCRN staff to deliver educational forums, networking and collaboration building opportunities for TCRN members.



South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD)

• Australia
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 700 & Above Employee

• Postdoctoral Research Scientist & UNSW Vice-Chancellor's Postdoctoral Research Fellow

  • Sep 2004 - Aug 2012

  Co-led the cytomegalovirus (CMV) research group in laboratory-based cell and molecular biology research and clinical/diagnostic studies (including a clinical trial of valganciclovir prophylaxis), collaborating with local and international scientists, medical virologists, transplant specialists and other medical professionals. Research outcomes included identification and characterisation of antiviral resistance mutations, better treatment and prophylaxis of patients at risk of CMV disease and improved understanding of viral biology and pathogenesis. Also provided experimental and intellectual input for other VRL research: influenza viruses, hepatitis B virus diagnosis and retroviruses. Provided strategic advice and laboratory management expertise to all VRL staff and projects. Led laboratory biosafety, infrastructure and and gene technology approvals, including construction and PC2 certification of a new laboratory. Led internal and external stakeholder engagement including industry. Led the managed successful grants and projects (>$1.2M in funding) and supervised >20 UNSW students and early-career researchers. Fostered highly productive local and international research collaborations, which still contribute to the ongoing success of the laboratory.



NSW-ACT Branch of the Australian Society for Microbiology

• Committee Member and Secretary

  • Jul 2009 - Jun 2012