Dr Rachel Sacks-Davis
Senior Research Fellow
Working groups
Background
Dr Rachel Sacks-Davis is a Senior Research Fellow at the Burnet Institute in the Disease Elimination Program. She is the Senior Manager of the International Collaboration on Hepatitis C Elimination in HIV Cohorts (InCHEHC). After completing her BA (Hons)/BSc Rachel joined Burnet as a Research Assistant in 2008.
From 2010-2014 she completed her PhD in epidemiology at the Burnet Institute on hepatitis C transmission and natural history amongst people who inject drugs. She was awarded an NHMRC Early Career Fellowship (2016-2021), which allowed her to play a leadership role in the formation of the InCHEHC collaboration.
Qualifications
- PhD (Epidemiology), Monash University, Australia
- BA(Hons), Monash University, Australia
- BA/BSc, University of Melbourne, Australia
Appointments
- Adjunct Research Fellow, Monash University
- Adjunct Fellow, University of Melbourne
Awards
- 2024: Lady Potter, Burnet Emerging Leader Fellowship
- 2022: IAS/MSD Prize for Research in HIV Prevention
- 2012: Harold Mitchell Travel Fellowship
- 2012: Best poster, 17th International Bioinformatics Workshop, Belgrade
- 2012: Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine Junior Researcher Award
- 2011: Robert Blain Memorial Travel Fellowship
- 2011: European Association of the Study of the Liver Young Investigator Award
Positions
- 2023: Senior Research Fellow
- 2021: Research Fellow
- 2018: NHMRC Early Career Research Fellow
- 2014: Research Officer
Burnet publications
View 95 moreBalancing Efficiency and Accuracy in Hepatitis C Rapid Antibody Testing: Insights From a Cluster Randomised Crossover Trial
Journal of Viral Hepatitis
Katherine Heath et al
Liver fibrosis regression in people living with HIV after successful treatment for hepatitis C
JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes
Jim Young et al
Unsuccessful Direct Acting Antiviral Hepatitis C Treatment Among People With HIV : Findings From an International Cohort
Liver International
Brendan Harney et al
Reports and other work
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A systematic review of immediate HCV RNA testing following HCV Antibody compared with HCV RNA testing at time of assessment for HCV therapy.
The World Health organization estimates that between 130 and 150 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) worldwide (World Health Organisation, 2012, Woodall et al., 1994). People with untreated HCV are at increased risk of liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver-related mortality (Villano et al., 1997). HCV RNA testing, which generally follows a positive anti-HCV antibody test in a clinical setting, allows the detection of current HCV infection, thus indicating individuals for treatment and care options (Rongey et al., 2009, Scott et al., 2006, Piasecki et al., 2004). This review investigates the optimal time at which to perform HCV RNA tests in order to establish the presence of current infection, and to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with HCV infection.
A systematic review of immediate HCV RNA testing following HCV Antibody compared with HCV RNA testing at time of assessment for HCV therapy. -
Modelling the Victorian roadmap (PUBLIC HEALTH REPORT)
COVID-19 mathematical modelling of the Victoria roadmap 2021.
Modelling the Victorian roadmap (PUBLIC HEALTH REPORT)
Current projects
View 4 more
EXPAND-C: hepatitis C testing and treatment through community pharmacies
Expanding access to hepatitis C testing and treatment using a pharmacy-based model.
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.
How stable housing can support people who use drugs (HOUSED)
Australia is experiencing a housing crisis, and people who use drugs are being left behind. To address this, we're analysing the social, economic and health benefits of stable housing for people who use drugs.
Past projects
View 2 more
The Optimise Study: Optimising Isolation, Quarantine and Distancing for COVID-19
This project aims to find out how Victorians are experiencing COVID-19 and responding to the measures introduced to stop the spread of the virus.
Transparent risk assessment of COVID-19 quarantine (traQ study)
This study uses a mathematical model to examine the circumstances in which quarantine for COVID-19 could be reduced from 14 days without substantially increasing the risk of virus transmission.
Investigating the limitations with the snowball model in context of the TAP study
The study is a world-first clinical trial of DAA treatment for a group of people who inject drugs.
