Centre for Innovation in Infectious Disease and Immunology Research (CIIDIR)
CIIDIR is an important and timely initiative of Barwon Health and Deakin University which aims to unify our infectious disease, microbiome and immunology expertise, bringing together a vibrant network of researchers working collectively to reduce the burden of infectious and immune-mediated disease in our community and beyond.
CIIDIR encompasses four main Research Pillars:
- Molecular Microbiology,
- Immunity and Inflammation,
- Population Health and Biology, and
- Clinical and Public Health Research.
Several of the research groups have expertise and projects in more than one pillar. CIIDIR encourages collaboration and projects that overlap with more than one research pillar by providing small research grants, with eight grants provided so far to teams.
CIIDOR has several cross-cutting activities that operate across all research pillars to ensure access to the best training, resources and enabling technologies as well as ensuring discoveries are translated into solutions for human health.
Since CIIDIR launched in December 2022, there have been a number of exciting developments, including:
- Launch of the CIIDIR website https://ciidir.com.au which includes information on programs, projects, our research team and news.
- Seed and Project Grants. A call for proposals for small projects intended to stimulate new ideas and multidisciplinary collaborations was launched in early 2023. CIIDIR received 14 excellent applications from eight different research groups and spanning all four research pillars. Of these, we were able to fund nine proposals. This has stimulated new colllaborations on a range of topics including on Buruli ulcer therapeutics, COVID-19 and antimicrobial resistance.
- Major grant funding: Several CIIDIR members have been successful as Chief Investigator on major grant bids worth over $12 million including from the National Health and Medical Research Council, Medical Research Future Fund, the USA Food and Drug Administration, Ian Potter Foundation, and the Victorian Critical Vaccinees Collection.
Collaborating Organisations
| Barwon Health | CSIRO – | |
| University of Melbourne | Burnet Institute | |
| Walter and Eliza Hall Institute |
Research Team
- Professor Alyssa Barry, Co-Director – CIIDIR, Systems Epidemiology of Infection
- Professor Eugene Athan, Co-Director – CIIDIR, Infectious Diseases
- Professor Tania de Koning Ward, Molecular Microbiology
- Professor John Stambas, Virology
- Professor Alister Ward, Preclinical Studies
- Professor Catherine Bennett, Epidemiology
- Professor Julie Pasco, Epidemiology
- Associate Professor Cenk Suphioglu, Biomedical Science
- Associate Professor Hassan Valley, Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- Dr Stephane Bouchoucha, Infection prevention and control
- Professor Anastacia Hutchinson, Infection prevention and control
- Dr John Stenos, Director, Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory
- Dr Vinod Sundaramoorthy, Viral Pathogenesis
- Dr Kirsty McCann, Scientific Coordinator – CIIDIR, and Associate Research Fellow, Genomic Epidemiology
- Dr Darcie Cooper, Research Fellow in Infectious Diseases
- Dr Carly Botheras, Associate Research Fellow
- Professor Peter Vuillermin, Paediatrician and Director of Research, Barwon Health
- Dr Luba Sominsky, Senior Scientist
- Dr Poshmaal Dhar, Executive Dean Research Fellow, Mucosal immunologist
- Dr Charles Narh, Executive Dean Research Fellow
- Dr Zahra Razook, Molecular Biologist Research Assistant
- Dr Christine Roder, Infectious disease and public health Researcher
- Dr Amanda Wade, Infectious Diseases Physician
- Dr Michael Muleme, Epidemiologist
- Dr Bridgette McNamara, Epidemiologist
- Dr Sajal Kumar Saha, Executive Dean Health Research Fellow
- Associate Professor Daniel O’Brien, Director of Infectious Diseases, Barwon Health
Support Our Research
Participate in a Clinical Trial
To find out about Clinical Trials currently underway at Barwon Health, click here.
Donate
Clinical trials require ongoing investment and there are several ways to support this amazing work.
You can make a donation today and contribute to an item on our research wish list, consider a bequest in your will, or establish a lasting legacy fund in your name. No matter what size, your philanthropic support with deliver an immediate impact.
To donate now or for more information and further discuss your support, please contact the Barwon Health Foundation.
Last Modified: Monday, 18 December 2023
Research Leads
Professor Alyssa Barry
Scientific Director
Professor Eugene Athan
Clinical Director
Health Education and Research Building B (HERB)
299 Ryrie St
Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
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