HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention
We conduct innovative research aimed at understanding the transmission and prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
Group heads
About this group
We conduct innovative epidemiological and implementation research aimed at understanding the transmission, diagnosis and prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. We have a particular focus on priority populations including gay and bisexual men, trans and gender diverse people, young people and people who inject drugs.
In Australia, HIV notifications have steadily declined among some groups over the past decade. These declines are linked to the scale up of biomedical HIV prevention strategies. However, challenges remain for ensuring their equitable deployment and optimal strategic investment.
HIV is also a major public health issue across Southeast Asia, approximately 10 per cent of the world’s 37 million adults and children living with HIV reside.
Our main aims are:
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undertaking research involving the groups most at risk of HIV and STIs, including gay and bisexual men, trans and gender diverse people, people who inject drugs, young people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
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integrating findings from our surveillance, epidemiology and research work to inform policy and practice to prevent the transmission of HIV and other STIs.
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Current projects
ACCESS: Australian Collaboration for Coordinated Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance of Sexually Transmissible Infections and Blood Borne Viruses
ACCESS is a national sentinel surveillance network of sexually transmissible infections and blood-borne viruses.
Informing priorities in the HIV response in Australia
We're taking a multifaceted approach to HIV prevention and supporting the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV.
Efficacy assessment of a new point-of-care test for confirmation of active syphilis in men who have sex with men
We're developing a novel rapid point of care test based on lateral flow technology for diagnosis of active syphilis in a single visit.
Past projects
View 9 moreWHISPER and SHOUT: mobile phone health interventions among sex workers in Kenya
We conducted a mobile phone-based health promotion with women who are sex workers in Mombasa, Kenya, to reduce unintended pregnancy.
PATH: Prison and Transition Health cohort study
A unique prospective study of people incarcerated and released from prison with recent histories of injecting drug use in Australia.
ACCESS Myanmar: Assessing the feasibility of an integrated HIV cascade of care surveillance system in Myanmar
ACCESS Myanmar will implement and evaluate an electronic health records data linkage system that effectively monitors the progress of patients through HIV testing and treatment episodes of care across a network of partnering community and government services.
News and features
Paul Dietze and his amazing technicolour HIV lab coat
Professor Paul Dietze has a unique memento from IAS2025, a custom-designed lab coat reimagined through the lens of #HIV science, fashion, and activism.
First-of-its-kind training manual to improve HIV care
In Papua New Guinea, Burnet is helping to strengthen the country’s HIV response through the Sexual & Reproductive Health Integration Project.
Celebrating Burnet excellence: Gust-McKenzie Medal and Frank Fenner Award
NHMRC grants for Burnet hepatitis B and STI research
Burnet projects aimed at reducing the burden of hepatitis B in Australia and STIs will be supported by NHMRC Investigator Grants.
Alastair Lucas Prize and Gust-McKenzie Medal
Dr Lindi Masson and Professor Josh Vogel have been announced as winners of two of Burnet’s most prestigious awards.
VMRAF grant for Burnet project to support women's sexual and reproductive health
A Burnet project targeting bacterial vaginosis has been awarded a grant from the Victorian Government’s Victorian Medical Research Acceleration Fund (VMRAF).
Featured publications
HIV treatment-as-prevention and its effect on incidence of HIV among cisgender gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Australia: a 10-year longitudinal cohort study
The Lancet HIV
Denton Callander et al
Real-world trends in incidence of bacterial sexually transmissible infections among gay and bisexual men using HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Australia following nationwide PrEP implementation: an analysis of sentinel surveillance data
The Lancet Infectious Diseases
Michael W. Traeger et al
Improvements in transition times through the HIV cascade of care among gay and bisexual men with a new HIV diagnosis in New South Wales and Victoria, Australia (2012–19): a longitudinal cohort study
The Lancet HIV
Daniela K van Santen et al
Association of HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis With Incidence of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Individuals at High Risk of HIV Infection
JAMA
Michael W. Traeger et al
Group contacts
Dr Michael Traeger
Deputy Head, HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention; Research Officer
Student supervisor contacts
Dr Michael Traeger
Deputy Head, HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention; Research Officer
Group members
Professor Mark A Stoové
Head of Public Health
Associate Professor Alisa Pedrana
Senior Research Fellow; Deputy Discipline Head, Public Health; Eliminate Hepatitis C Australia Coordinator
Dr Aoife Hurley
Public Health Registrar
Bernadette Ryan
Research Assistant
Brendan Harney
Research Assistant
David Wang
Research Assistant, HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention Group
Dean Cassano
International Health Project Officer
Dr Elly Layton
Public Health Registrar
Flynn Halliwell
Research Assistant
Hein Htet Aung
Master’s student
Professor Margaret Hellard AM
Deputy Director, Programs; Adjunct Professor, Monash University, DEPM.
Dr Michael Traeger
Deputy Head, HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention; Research Officer
Dr Phone Myint Win
Country Representative, Myanmar
Dr Tafireyi Marukutira
TB Specialist – Public Health
