Novel serological and molecular tools for malaria surveillance and intervention
As malaria transmission continues to decline, even the most sensitive methods for determining prevalence via detection of the parasite become inefficient for risk stratification and informing programmatic interventions. In addition, the need to identify individuals at risk of Plasmodium vivax relapse from hypnozoites increases.
Validated markers of recent exposure to Plasmodium spp. may be able to play an important role, particularly rapidly advancing technologies for quantitative point-of-care testing.
Student opportunities
Help determine malaria prevalence
We apply novel validated serological markers of exposure and novel validated molecular markers capable of detecting ultra-low-density Plasmodium infections to well-characterised existing sample sets.
By doing this, we aim to validate and establish the public health utility of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax molecular and serosurveillance assays for identifying hidden reservoirs of infections in the Asia-Pacific.
Open to
- Honours
- PhD
Supervisors
Project contacts
Professor Leanne Robinson
Program Director, Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness; Senior Principal Research Fellow, Group Leader, Vector-Borne Diseases and Tropical Public Health
Dr Fiona Angrisano
Deputy Working Group Head, Vector-borne Diseases and Tropical Public Health; Transmission Biology Team Lead
Project team
Professor Leanne Robinson
Program Director, Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness; Senior Principal Research Fellow, Group Leader, Vector-Borne Diseases and Tropical Public Health
Dr Fiona Angrisano
Deputy Working Group Head, Vector-borne Diseases and Tropical Public Health; Transmission Biology Team Lead
Why study at Burnet
When you study with us, you broaden your impact working across our 3 institute-wide programs:
- Disease Elimination
- Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness
- Women's, Children's and Adolescents' Health.
Train with internationally recognised experts in a structured student support system.
Gain a holistic research experience along the way.