Local Organising Committee

Dr Emma Grant

La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (lims), la trobe university, VIC

Local Organising Committee Chair

I am a group leader based at La Trobe University, where I lead a research team focused on immune responses to influenza. I completed my PhD at the University of Melbourne and, supported by an NHMRC CJ Martin Fellowship, relocated to Cardiff University before returning to Monash University. I later moved with the Gras Lab to La Trobe University, supported by an ARC DECRA Fellowship. My research aims to inform the development of next-generation therapeutics and vaccines. I have studied immune responses in high-risk populations and identified virus-derived targets for future treatments. 

@Emma_J_Grant

Dr Dimitra Chatzileontiadou

La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (lims), la trobe university, VIC

I am an NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow at La Trobe University, Australia. I earned my PhD with Distinction in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Thessaly, Greece. After receiving an international IKY Fellowship, I moved to Australia in 2017 for postdoctoral research at Monash University. Since 2019, I’ve worked with Professor Stephanie Gras, now at La Trobe. My research focuses on uncovering the molecular mechanisms of immune responses to viral infections. 

@DimitraChatzil1

Dr Brendan Jacka

The Kirby Institute, NSW

I am a Senior Research Associate in the Therapeutics and Vaccines Research Program (TVRP) at the Kirby Institute, NSW. My research focuses on improving the health and wellbeing of vulnerable and minoritised communities. I investigate healthcare needs and access, and develop innovative models of care for addiction and infectious diseases. 

@BrendanJacka

Dr Janesha Maddumage

La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (lims), la trobe university, VIC

I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, majoring in molecular biology and biochemistry. After graduating, I worked as a temporary teaching assistant in the Department of Zoology at the University of Colombo for a year. I then moved to Australia to pursue a Master of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics at La Trobe University, graduating with first-class honours. My master’s thesis focused on cloning, expression, and purification of recombinant human SDHAF4 for antibody production and studying SDHA assembly complexes, under the supervision of Dr. Kaye Truscott and Dr. David Dougan.

Following my master’s degree, I began my PhD at La Trobe University with Prof. Marc Kvansakul, co-supervised by Prof. Patrick Humbert, investigating cell polarity regulation in the ancient organism Trichoplax. After successfully completing my PhD, I joined Prof Stephanie Gras’ lab as a research officer in 2023.

@JaneDazzy

Dr Anurag Adhikari 

La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (lims), la trobe university, VIC

I am an infectious disease immunologist with a research focus on the functional aspects of human adaptive immunity. I completed my undergraduate studies in biotechnology at Purbanchal University in Nepal, and earned my PhD in pathology from the University of New South Wales, Australia. My work explores antibody-mediated effector functions against RNA viruses such as HCV and SARS-CoV-2, as well as T cell responses in chronic viral infections like HIV. My interests include pathogen-specific T cell induction, proliferation, and memory formation following infection and immunisation, particularly in the context of neglected tropical diseases. I am currently based at La Trobe University.

Dr Naomi Whyler

clinic nineteen, Western Health Melbourne, Monash University, VIC

I am Dr Naomi Whyler, a specialist in General Medicine and Infectious Diseases. I trained in the UK then completed specialist training in New Zealand and Australia. I have extensive experience in providing holistic and empathetic care for people affected by long COVID since 2023 at Clinic Nineteen, and have a particular interest in navigating the challenges of long COVID throughout pregnancy. I also specialise in management of infections in pregnancy, in my work at Western Health. I am passionate about improving quality of care through evidence-based research and as such am currently undertaking a PhD at Monash University addressing strategies to support postpartum care after complex medical conditions.

Dr Michelle Scoullar  

burnet institute, VIC

I’m a paediatrician, international health specialist, and senior research fellow with expertise in health system strengthening, maternal, newborn and child health, and implementation research in the Asia Pacific Region. I also lead the paediatric component of a long COVID specialist clinic, providing evidence-informed care to children and adolescents with long COVID. My primary focus in research and clinical practice is on issues of health equity, improving child health outcomes and quality care. 

@MJLScoullar

Dr Sarah Annesley 

La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, la trobe university, VIC 

I’m a Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Molecular Cell Biology Lab at La Trobe University. My research focuses on mitochondrial dysfunction in neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s Disease, ME/CFS, and Long COVID. I aim to uncover disease mechanisms, identify therapeutic targets, and develop diagnostic biomarkers. I’ve secured over $18M in research funding, published 59 peer-reviewed papers, and supervised more than 30 postgraduate students. I’m passionate about working with patients and advocacy groups to ensure lived experience guides my research. 

Dr Keng Chew  

The University of Queensland, QLD 

I am a postdoctoral researcher in Prof Kirsty Short’s lab at the School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland. I completed my PhD at the University of Melbourne and held research roles in the Netherlands, where I was honoured with the Pieter Langerhuizen Labertuszoon-Fonds award. I’ve also worked with biotech startups in the Netherlands and later returned to Australia, contributing across both healthcare and research sectors. I have since returned to full-time research, where my current focus is on understanding the mechanisms of post-viral disease in COVID-19 and influenza. 

A/Prof Branka Grubor-Bauk 

University of Adelaide, SA  

I am an immunologist heading the Viral Immunology Group at the University of Adelaide and co-leading the Adelaide RNA Innovation Hub. I lead multidisciplinary trials and cohort studies investigating post-vaccination immunity and the pathogenesis of Long COVID, including the MRFF-funded Long COVID biomarker study. Insights from this work inform precision immunomodulatory strategies and vaccine optimisation for at-risk populations. In parallel, my laboratory engineers mRNA, self-amplifying RNA (saRNA), and DNA vaccines targeting hepatitis C, Zika virus, coronaviruses, and other emerging pathogens—rapidly advancing candidates from antigen discovery to pre-clinical proof-of-concept.

Dr Emily Eriksson   

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI), VIC

I am an infectious disease immunologist at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne’s Department of Medical Biology. My research program is dedicated to understanding the dynamic spectrum of immunological perturbations that occur during infection and their role in acute disease and long-term complications, with a particular emphasis on SARS-CoV-2, and post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). I have contributed to over 60 publications detailing immune responses to pathogens, vaccine development, and infection-associated autoimmunity. My current research integrates systems immunology and translational approaches to identify predictive biomarkers for diagnostic applications and to uncover novel therapeutic targets aimed at mitigating severe and chronic disease.