Background
Helen is an epidemiologist and public health practitioner who recently moved to Burnet from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She has extensive research experience related to the programmatic management and epidemiology of tuberculosis (TB), and specifically drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB).
Helen’s research interests are broad and range from the routine monitoring and evaluation of TB and DR-TB programs, through assessing the feasibility and impact of new diagnostics for TB, to the genomic epidemiology of TB and DR-TB. Further interests include:
- infection control strategies
- cost analyses of different approaches for DR-TB treatmen
- application of a human rights approach to improving the effectiveness of and access to TB treatment.
At the Burnet, Helen will expand her work in tuberculosis to include better ways to screen for tuberculosis among pregnant people, with projects in the Asia Pacific region and in South Africa. She will also develop a program of work around the prevention of TB transmission and other airborne diseases in indoor spaces. Overall, a key aim of Helen’s research work has been and will continue to be a direct translation of research findings into policy and practice.
Qualifications
- 2006: PhD, University of Melbourne
- 1998: MPH, University of Melbourne
- 1988: BSc, University of Melbourne.
Appointments
- Working Group Head, Burnet Institute
- Honorary Professor, Division of Medical Microbiology and the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- Contributing Investigator, Wellcome Centre for Infectious Disease Research, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Awards
- 2015: Union Scientific Prize (sustained contributions to TB research), International Union Against TB and Lung Disease
- 2007: Premier’s Award for Medical Research, Victoria, Australia.
Burnet publications
View 11 moreFirst Molecular Epidemiology Study of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Kiribati
PLoS ONE
Eman Aleksic et al
Wind-Driven Roof Turbines: A Novel Way to Improve Ventilation for TB Infection Control in Health Facilities
PLoS ONE
Helen Cox et al
Rational use of moxifloxacin for tuberculosis treatment
The Lancet Infectious Diseases
Helen Cox et al
Current projects
Using ultraviolet light to reduce COVID-19 in aged care homes (ELUCIDAR study)
Ultraviolet light has been used for decades to disinfect the air and prevent disease. This study explores using UV light to reduce COVID-19 infection in residential aged care facilities.
Pathway to Clean Indoor Air
A 2-year research project that tests solutions in real-world settings to identify scalable, evidence-based solutions for improving indoor air quality in schools, public spaces and public sector offices.
