Wendy Williams
Senior Research Officer
Background
Wendy has a background in public health surveillance, health research and emergency response. Her interests are in epidemiology, disease surveillance, emergency response, and health research.
Wendy is keen on supporting the Vanuatu Ministry of Health in the implementation of its health research agenda and supporting the advancement of surveillance unit services in Vanuatu.
Before joining Burnet, Wendy worked with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and Vanuatu Ministry of Health. She managed the Vanuatu National Surveillance, Research and Emergency Response unit during the pandemic period from 2020–2023.
During her one-year (2023–2024) term with SPC, she worked with the Surveillance, Preparedness and Response Program. Here, her main role was to assist with management of the Pacific Epidemic and Intelligence system and support with facilitating the SHIP/DDM – Field Epidemiology training program and the Pacific Health Leadership Training of Trainers.
Qualifications
- 2024–ongoing: Master of Infectious Diseases Intelligence / Master of Health Leadership and Management, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney
- 2020: Postgraduate Certificate in Field Epidemiology, Fiji National University, Fiji
- 2016: Bachelor degree in public health, Fiji National University, Fiji
Appointments
- 2020–ongoing: Member, Vanuatu Health Technical Advisory Group
- 2020–2023: Vanuatu Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network (PPHSN) focal point
- 2019–2023: Vanuatu Health Research Ethics Committee Secretary
- 2018–2023: Vanuatu International Health Regulation Focal Point
Positions
- 2024–ongoing: Senior Research Officer, Burnet Institute
- 2023–2024: Pacific Island Public Health Professional, Pacific Community (SPC)
- 2020–2023: Manager – Surveillance, Research & Emergency Response Unit, Vanuatu Ministry of Health
- 2017–2020: Public Health Surveillance Officer, Vanuatu Ministry of Health
Awards
- 2024–Ongoing: Scholarship, Australia Awards Vanuatu
- 2024: Best Presentation by an early career researcher, Vanuatu Health Research Symposium
- 2023: Joint WPRO/TDR Impact grants for regional priorities
- 2014: Scholarship, Vanuatu Government
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.
Vanuatu Research and Climate Change Agenda
This project will support Vanuatu to develop a research agenda that maximises public health impact and drives health equity.