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Melissa Penny PhD, PD, BSc (Hons) Professor Fiona Stanley Chair in Child Health Research melissa.penny@thekids.org.au Professor Fiona Stanley Chair
In recent decades, field and semi-field studies of malaria transmission have gathered geographic-specific information about mosquito ecology, behaviour and their sensitivity to interventions. Mathematical models of malaria transmission can incorporate such data to infer the likely impact of vector control interventions and hence guide malaria control strategies in various geographies.
In malaria epidemiology, interpolation frameworks based on available observations are critical for policy decisions and interpreting disease burden. Updating our understanding of the empirical evidence across different populations, settings, and timeframes is crucial to improving inference for supporting public health.
New malaria vaccine development builds on groundbreaking recommendations and roll-out of two approved pre-erythrocytic vaccines (PEVs); RTS,S/AS01 and R21/Matrix-M. Whilst these vaccines are effective in reducing childhood malaria within yearly routine immunization programs or seasonal vaccination, there is little evidence on how different PEV efficacies, durations of protection, and spacing between doses influence the potential to avert uncomplicated and severe childhood malaria.
Julian is the Program Manager for the Global Disease Modelling team at The Kids Research Institute Australia.
Epke is a veterinarian that specializes in infectious disease control, and holds a PhD in human neglected tropical disease (NTD) control and elimination.
This project consists of two linked research programs, working to support malaria control and elimination using OpenMalaria: our in-house, open-source, malaria simulation tool.
Strep A causes a huge global burden of disease, from sore throats to rheumatic heart disease. Our team is developing a computer simulation model, OpenStrepA, to help researchers tackle this disease.
In this project, our team provides malaria vaccine impact predictions to inform vaccine investment strategies for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and their partners.
We help shape how the world responds to infectious diseases: guiding vaccine and treatment development, and advising on public health measures to control and eliminate disease. Our mathematical models capture how diseases spread, how severe infections are, and how childhood exposure shapes health across a lifetime.