Leila Bell
PhD student
Background
Leila is an infectious disease epidemiologist who joined Burnet in 2021 to start a PhD through Monash University. The aims of her project are to inform the strengthening of sustainable and effective surveillance for hepatitis B prevention, diagnosis, and management in the Pacific, with a focus on Vanuatu. The outcomes of this research will add to the understanding of the hepatitis B burden to guide public health prioritisation, as well as support reporting against global and regional strategies. Leila has also supported Burnet's ACCESS Myanmar pilot as a research assistant.
Prior to joining Burnet, Leila worked with the World Health Organization Health Emergencies Programmes at the regional office for the Western Pacific (WPRO) in Manila, Philippines. During her time at WPRO, Leila's work was mostly focused on outbreak surveillance and response.
Qualifications
- 2021–present: PhD student
- 2016: MPH, The Melbourne University, Australia
- 2013: Bachelor of Arts (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Sociology) Rice University, Texas, USA
Positions
- 2021–2025: Research Assistant, Surveillance and Evaluation Group, Burnet Institute
- 2018-2021: Technical Officer WHO Health Emergencies, WPRO, Manila, Philippines
- 2018: Consultant WHO Health Emergencies, SEARO, New Delhi, India
- 2016–2017: Consultant WHO Health Emergencies, WPRO, Manila Philippines
Burnet publications
Protektem pikinini blong yu trial: protocol for a single arm field trial to assess the effectiveness of treating-all pregnant women with hepatitis B infection with tenofovir prophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child transmission in Vanuatu, 2024–2025
BMC Public Health
Leila Bell et al
Progress towards triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis in Pacific Island Countries and Territories: a systematic review
The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific
Leila Bell et al
The impact of COVID-19 on public health systems in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories
The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific
Leila Bell et al
Current projects
Improving disease outbreak response time in the Pacific: 7-1-7 tool testing
We're working with partners to see how the 7-1-7 approach can help track and respond to disease outbreaks in the Pacific.
Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B in Vanuatu
We offer a range of studies focusing on prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B.
Protektem Pikinini Blong Yu: Preventing mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B in Vanuatu
This field trial compares the effectiveness of WHO-based viral load testing guidelines to an alternative model of care.
