Chiara Drago
Research Assistant
Working groups
Background
Chiara has a keen interest in microbiology and vaccines, and through her research, endeavours to improve vaccine design to aid in the fight against malaria.
Chiara undertook her Biomedical Science Honours year with Burnet in 2022. She identified monoclonal antibodies against malaria that may promote immune functions associated with protection against severe disease. She furthered this work as a research assistant at Burnet, where she investigated synergistic effects between monoclonal antibodies, potentially increasing their effectiveness as a treatment or prophylaxis for malaria, or to inform vaccine design.
Qualifications
- 2022–2023: Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours), Monash University
- 2019–2021: Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Monash University
Positions
- 2025–present: Research Assistant, Burnet Institute
- 2024: Customer Service Representative ANZ, New England Biolabs
- 2023: Research Assistant, Burnet Institute
Awards
- 2023: Presented a long talk at VIIN Young Investigator Symposium
- 2023: Presented a long talk at Malaria in Melbourne conference
- 2022: Recipient of the People's Choice Award in the Burnet Student Symposium
Burnet publications
View 1 morePotent AMA1-specific human monoclonal antibody against Plasmodium vivax Pre-erythrocytic and Blood Stages
Nature Communications
Anna C. Winnicki et al
Potent AMA1-specific human monoclonal antibody against P. vivax Pre-erythrocytic and Blood Stages
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Anna C. Winnicki et al
Potent AMA1-specific human monoclonal antibody against P. vivax Pre-erythrocytic and Blood Stages
Research Square (Research Square)
Christopher L. King et al
Current projects
Malaria Synergy Program
The program brings together experts to achieve the goals of malaria elimination in the Asia-Pacific region and globally.
MASTER-MAP: modern acceleration strategies for eradication of malaria in the Asia Pacific
We're developing novel solutions and high-quality evidence to inform policies and practices that address the major barriers in malaria elimination.