Professor John Fraser is a University of Queensland clinician researcher who will draw on his experience leading the critical care research group who are international leaders in critical care research and biomedical engineering. Working together to improve outcomes for critically ill patients.

Professor Karen Mortiz is the Associate Dean of Research at University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine. Not only drawing on her experience as Associate Dean, but also her familiarity with the CRE scheme.

Professor Holmes is a distinguished computational biologist and chemist. She is an ARC Laureate Fellow and former Premier’s Fellow at Murdoch University. Her main research area focuses on applying metabolic profiling and computational modelling of biofluids and tissues to understand pathological and physiological disease processes. 

Distinguished Professor Gras is an internationally recognised leader in T cell immunology, particularly against viral infections. She leads a dynamic network of researchers, clinicians, and junior staff covering basic research, public health initiative, and consumer engagement with Long COVID.

Professor Short has extensive experience in studying viral pathogenesis and immunity. She publishes in prestigious journals such as Lancet Infectious Diseases, Nature Microbiology, Science, Lancet Microbe and Immunity. Her work has been cited by Victorian and U.K. policy guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Professor Good-Jacobson is an internationally recognised expert in epigenetic regulation of B cells, antibody production, and the formation of immune memory. She leads a diverse team with multidisciplinary skills including in vivo models, single-cell molecular biology and bioinformatics. 

Associate Professor Smith is an internationally recognised expert in viral-associated diseases and cellular immunotherapy. They have made significant contributions to cellular immunotherapy, including the first TGA-licensed manufacturing process for T cell immunotherapy in Australia for Phase I/II trial in EBV-associated diseases.

Professor Rao has a 20-year track record in translational epigenetics in both academia and industry, where she has led drug development and biomarker discovery projects to take novel therapeutics from bench to clinic. She has access to unique patient cohorts and epigenetic drugs and expertise in liquid biopsy technology, and unique preclinical models. 

Dr Eriksson’s is an infectious disease immunologist based at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI). Her research focuses on understanding abnormal immune responses to infection, exploring pathogen factors that alter immune cell responses and identifying markers that can distinguish atypical immune processes. They have established and are co-leading a Victorian longitudinal COVID cohort. 

Dr Annesley is a molecular cell biologist and an expert in analysis of mitochondrial function and metabin neurological disorders. She has established connections with ME/CFS advocacy groups, including Bridges & Pathways, ME Australia, Open Medicine Foundation and Emerge Australia. 

Professor Holmes is a distinguished computational biologist and chemist. She is an ARC Laureate Fellow and former Premier’s Fellow at Murdoch University. Her main research area focuses on applying metabolic profiling and computational modelling of biofluids and tissues to understand pathological and physiological disease processes. 

Professor Broadley is a consultant neurologist and leads the MS Clinic at Gold Coast University Hospital. Professor Broadley is chair of the Australian MS Clinical Trials Platform and is the coordinating principle investigator for 3 multicentre clinical trials in MS. 

David Watters is a Distinguished (Alfred Deakin) Professor at Deakin University and Barwon Health. He is a former Council Member and Past President of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and was appointed the inaugural Chair of the Victorian Perioperative Consultative Council (VPCC) in 2019-2022. VPCC led Victoria’s perioperative response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing policy advice around PPE and the opening and closure of planned (elective) surgeries across Victoria. He chaired the Victorian Post Acute COVID-19 Sequelae Committee (VPACS) of Researchers from 2021-2025. 

Professor Seddiki has >25 years experience in infectious diseases and translational research. She has an established track-record with major contributions in the field of human immunology and infectious disease research, unravelling novel ways to accurately study T-cell immunity. She leads the Pediatric Immunology Program (PIP) within the Immune Diseases, Microbiology and Innovative Therapies (IDMIT) Department, and serves as an Adjunct Professor at The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of New South Wales (UNSW). 

Professor Khanna is an internationally recognised Translational Immunologist who has made major contributions to developing cellular immunotherapies for treating virus-associated cancers and infectious complications. Over the last 20 years, they have successfully translated their research by developing novel T cell-based immunotherapeutic strategies and provides life-saving T cell therapies for passionate use under the TGA Special Access Scheme. 

Dr Armstrong is the Director of the Melbourne ME/CFS Collaboration, a research group at the University of Melbourne researching ME/CFS and Long COVID. His group takes a personalised medicine approach to tackling these conditions to identify biological mechanisms and translational tools to increase speed accuracy of diagnosis and treatment. They have strong connections with Open Medicine Foundation Australia, which raise funds in support of their research program.  Dr Armstrong collaborates with over 20 research groups globally on a wide array of research projects on ME/CFS and Long COVID.

Ms Abercrombie is living with Long COVID and her experiences have made her a staunch advocate for fellow Long COVID sufferers. She is the director and on the board of Long COVID Australia Ltd., was a key member of the ‘Wake up to Long COVID’ on Long COVID Awareness Day, where we made world history to be the first country to light up for Long COVID.  Endless media interviews to simply raise awareness as she suffers greatly. As well as the long list of interviews she has petitioned parliament for Long COVID research funding. 

Dr Bindra was diagnosed with long COVID in 2022, after suffering from symptoms of shortness of breath, chest pains, fatigue, and multiple hospital visits for >6 months, she was diagnosed with cavernoma and costochondritis in June and December 2023, respectively. To this day, she functions at 70% of her normal capacity. With no treatment options available, other than management of pain; fatigue, chest pain, and headaches are part of her everyday life. Despite this, Dr Bindra has been active in engaging with the CI team and advice based on her experience. 

Deanna was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at 17, following Epstein–Barr Virus, optic neuritis and vertigo. This marked the beginning of navigating lifelong challenges associated with chronic illness, including fatigue, pain and changes to balance and vision. Despite this, she has excelled academically and built a strong career grounded in both professional expertise and lived experience. Deanna is a national advocate and member of MS Australia’s Lived Experience Expert Panel (LEEP), where she contributes to shaping research, policy and healthcare design through a lived experience lens. Since 2019, she has also served as a Multiple Sclerosis Ambassador, sharing her story through public speaking, awareness campaigns and advocacy initiatives. Her work bridges clinical knowledge with authentic storytelling, with a strong focus on mental health, accessibility and disability equity. 

Rowena was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting MS in 2016, following earlier experience with Epstein-Barr and varicella-zoster. Her diagnosis came whilst in the midst of her career, which subsequently lead to her medical retirement after 32 yrs service with Tasmanian Police. For the past 15 years, she has dedicated herself to the community sector as a strong advocate for people facing social and economic barriers, championing collaborative, person-centered approaches through community forums, consumer events, and Case Collaborative Conferences. After her MS diagnosis, she transitioned into part-time work supporting at-risk youth and mental health programs, becoming a true advocate who connected young people with essential services. Her lived experience with MS has driven her passion for understanding the disease and contributing meaningfully as an active member of the MS Lived Experience Expert Panel and the MS Research Flagship. 

Dr Davies-Payne is a paediatric radiologist, working at Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland since 2003. Alongside his clinical work, he has co‑authored publications on Long COVID and Functional Neurologic Disorder, contributed to national briefing papers, and developed free iOS apps supporting ME/CFS assessment and pacing. Previously healthy and active, David developed Long COVID in late 2020, later experiencing a severe deterioration that led to a diagnosis of POTS and ME/CFS. His lived experience has driven his engagement with emerging research and his role as co‑founder of DysImmune Research Aotearoa, a patient‑centred organisation advancing understanding of post‑viral illness.

Assistant Professor Bridie Mulholland is a proud Jingili woman and First Nations academic, serving as a senior lecturer in First Nations Health at Bond University. She leads key initiatives across the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine to embed First Nations perspectives throughout teaching, learning, and research. This includes the development of a dedicated First Nations Health Curriculum Framework and broader efforts to strengthen First Nations representation and leadership in research.

Dr Mulholland brings a rare combination of cultural knowledge and scientific expertise, drawing on her background in cellular bone and cancer biology alongside experience in First Nations health. She has worked closely with our team to design strategies that ensure research findings are shared with First Nations communities in ways that are culturally grounded, respectful, and oriented toward improving health outcomes, access, and health knowledge.

Professor Julie Andrews (OAM) is descended from a large Aboriginal family with ties to Yorta Yorta, Wurundjeri Woiwurrong and Wiradjuri peoples.  Professor Andrews is author of the 2026 publication titled “Where’s All the Community? Aboriginal Melbourne Revisited” a social history of Aboriginal Melbourne, tracing kinship connections and identity. Professor Andrews has over thirty years as a teaching and research academic and a First Nations higher education policy maker.    She leads Indigenous research projects through the Gabra Biik Wurruwila Wutja research centre and research partnerships in Aboriginal communities and industry and elevates Indigenous‑led scholarship.   Professor Julie Andrews will work alongside Associate Professor Bridie Mulholland and Distinguished Professor Stephanie Gras to guide the effective and culturally informed dissemination of research findings to First Nations communities, supporting improved health knowledge, access, and literacy.

Dr Annesley is a molecular cell biologist and an expert in analysis of mitochondrial function and metabin neurological disorders. She has established connections with ME/CFS advocacy groups, including Bridges & Pathways, ME Australia, Open Medicine Foundation and Emerge Australia. 

Dr Bindra was diagnosed with long COVID in 2022, after suffering from symptoms of shortness of breath, chest pains, fatigue, and multiple hospital visits for >6 months, she was diagnosed with cavernoma and costochondritis in June and December 2023, respectively. To this day, she functions at 70% of her normal capacity. With no treatment options available, other than management of pain; fatigue, chest pain, and headaches are part of her everyday life. Despite this, Dr Bindra has been active in engaging with the CI team and advice based on her experience. 

Distinguished Professor Gras is an internationally recognised leader in T cell immunology, particularly against viral infections. She leads a dynamic network of researchers, clinicians, and junior staff covering basic research, public health initiative, and consumer engagement with Long COVID.

Professor Short has extensive experience in studying viral pathogenesis and immunity. She publishes in prestigious journals such as Lancet Infectious Diseases, Nature Microbiology, Science, Lancet Microbe and Immunity. Her work has been cited by Victorian and U.K. policy guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Dr Vivian Tran is a Heart Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow and NHMRC CRE PAVING Manager dedicated to advancing cardiovascular health through rigorous science and meaningful community engagement. Vivian completed her PhD in 2024, developing and characterising a novel mouse model of diet‑induced metabolic syndrome. Her research uncovered sex‑specific responses to sustainable lifestyle interventions such as intermittent fasting, offering new insights into personalised strategies for improving metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes.

Professor Good-Jacobson is an internationally recognised expert in epigenetic regulation of B cells, antibody production, and the formation of immune memory. She leads a diverse team with multidisciplinary skills including in vivo models, single-cell molecular biology and bioinformatics. 

Associate Professor Smith is an internationally recognised expert in viral-associated diseases and cellular immunotherapy. They have made significant contributions to cellular immunotherapy, including the first TGA-licensed manufacturing process for T cell immunotherapy in Australia for Phase I/II trial in EBV-associated diseases.

Professor Rao has a 20-year track record in translational epigenetics in both academia and industry, where she has led drug development and biomarker discovery projects to take novel therapeutics from bench to clinic. She has access to unique patient cohorts and epigenetic drugs and expertise in liquid biopsy technology, and unique preclinical models. 

Dr Eriksson’s is an infectious disease immunologist based at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI). Her research focuses on understanding abnormal immune responses to infection, exploring pathogen factors that alter immune cell responses and identifying markers that can distinguish atypical immune processes. They have established and are co-leading a Victorian longitudinal COVID cohort. 

Dr Annesley is a molecular cell biologist and an expert in analysis of mitochondrial function and metabin neurological disorders. She has established connections with ME/CFS advocacy groups, including Bridges & Pathways, ME Australia, Open Medicine Foundation and Emerge Australia.

Professor Holmes is a distinguished computational biologist and chemist. She is an ARC Laureate Fellow and former Premier’s Fellow at Murdoch University. Her main research area focuses on applying metabolic profiling and computational modelling of biofluids and tissues to understand pathological and physiological disease processes. 

Professor Broadley is a consultant neurologist and leads the MS Clinic at Gold Coast University Hospital. Professor Broadley is chair of the Australian MS Clinical Trials Platform and is the coordinating principle investigator for 3 multicentre clinical trials in MS. 

David Watters is a Distinguished (Alfred Deakin) Professor at Deakin University and Barwon Health. He is a former Council Member and Past President of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and was appointed the inaugural Chair of the Victorian Perioperative Consultative Council (VPCC) in 2019-2022. VPCC led Victoria’s perioperative response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing policy advice around PPE and the opening and closure of planned (elective) surgeries across Victoria. He chaired the Victorian Post Acute COVID-19 Sequelae Committee (VPACS) of Researchers from 2021-2025. 

Professor Good-Jacobson is an internationally recognised expert in epigenetic regulation of B cells, antibody production, and the formation of immune memory. She leads a diverse team with multidisciplinary skills including in vivo models, single-cell molecular biology and bioinformatics. 

Dr Eriksson’s is an infectious disease immunologist based at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI). Her research focuses on understanding abnormal immune responses to infection, exploring pathogen factors that alter immune cell responses and identifying markers that can distinguish atypical immune processes. They have established and are co-leading a Victorian longitudinal COVID cohort. 

Associate Professor Smith is an internationally recognised expert in viral-associated diseases and cellular immunotherapy. They have made significant contributions to cellular immunotherapy, including the first TGA-licensed manufacturing process for T cell immunotherapy in Australia for Phase I/II trial in EBV-associated diseases.

Professor Rao has a 20-year track record in translational epigenetics in both academia and industry, where she has led drug development and biomarker discovery projects to take novel therapeutics from bench to clinic. She has access to unique patient cohorts and epigenetic drugs and expertise in liquid biopsy technology, and unique preclinical models. 

Professor Broadley is a consultant neurologist and leads the MS Clinic at Gold Coast University Hospital. Professor Broadley is chair of the Australian MS Clinical Trials Platform and is the coordinating principle investigator for 3 multicentre clinical trials in MS. 

David Watters is a Distinguished (Alfred Deakin) Professor at Deakin University and Barwon Health. He is a former Council Member and Past President of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and was appointed the inaugural Chair of the Victorian Perioperative Consultative Council (VPCC) in 2019-2022. VPCC led Victoria’s perioperative response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing policy advice around PPE and the opening and closure of planned (elective) surgeries across Victoria. He chaired the Victorian Post Acute COVID-19 Sequelae Committee (VPACS) of Researchers from 2021-2025.