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Associate Professor Catherine (Kate) Cherry

Burnet Staff Physician and Clinical Epidemiologist
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Background

Kate works part time at Burnet, where she is the staff physician and a clinical epidemiologist. Her background is as an infectious diseases (ID) physician with an interest in HIV.

After completing her ID training, Kate developed her research skills by undertaking a PhD followed by a degree in epidemiology / statistics. Today she enjoys combining a part time clinical role with contributing to a range of research projects and volunteering.

Kate is currently contributing to projects including international epidemiologic studies of painful HIV-associated neuropathy, work examining genetic associations with HIV-associated neuropathy in cohorts in Indonesia and South Africa, an audit of diagnostic testing for Pneumocystis pneumonia in patients with HIV, and an Australian study examining genetic associations with non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease.

Kate is often asked what attracted her to research: "There are several things! I really enjoy working with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and providing a clinical and/or epidemiological perspective on projects designed by basic scientists. The buzz of looking at data and seeing new findings emerge is very real. But for me, the greatest motivator is the patients. Seeing patients in the clinic constantly raises questions about disease pathogenesis, drug toxicities, quality of life and more. What could be more natural than combining clinical work with a role trying to answer some of the questions that come up?"

Qualifications
  • 2005 Graduate Diploma in Clinical Epidemiology, Monash University
  • 2004 PhD, Monash University "Sensory neuropathy in HIV/AIDS”
  • 1999 Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) (Infectious Diseases)
  • 1992 Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), University of Melbourne
Appointments
  • 2012 Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
  • 2011 Principal Burnet Fellow, Centre for Biomedical Research, Burnet Institute
  • 2011 Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University
  • 2007 Staff Physician, Burnet Institute
  • 2000 Consultant Physician, Infectious Diseases Unit, The Alfred Hospital
Awards

Selected awards

  • 2016: Honorable mention in the 2016 Intima Journal Essay Contest
  • 2010: “Best explainer" Alfred Health Ethics Committee annual awards
  • 2009 – 2012: NHMRC Career Development Award
  • 2006: Australasian Society for HIV Medicine: Best Epidemiology Poster Prize
  • 2005: Viertel Clinical Investigatorship, Charles and Sylvia Viertel foundation
  • 2004 2004: President’s Award, Victorian AIDS Council Gay Men’s Health Centre
  • 2002: Research Progress Award, People Living with HIV/AIDS Victoria
  • 2001: Australasian Society for HIV Medicine: Best Scientific Paper Prize
  • 2000 - 2003: NHMRC Post Graduate Research Scholarship
  • 1999: The Alfred Hospital Whole Time Medical Specialists Private Practice Scheme Prize for Research Posters
  • 1998: Australian Home and Outpatient Intravenous Therapy Association: Best Scientific Paper Prize
  • 1998: Australasian Society for HIV Medicine: Best Clinical Paper Prize
  • 1992: Austin Hospital Senior Medical Staff Prize (First placed final year student)
  • 1992: Alfred Edward Rowden White Prize in Clinical Obstetrics (University of Melbourne)
  • 1992: Hillier Prize in Medicine (Janet Clarke Hall)
  • 1988: Sunderland Prize in Neuroscience (University of Melbourne)
Positions
  • 2014 – present Staff Elected Member, Burnet Institute
  • 2012 – 2015 Member, MS Research Australia Social and Applied Research Reference Group
  • 2011 Microbiology and Virology Grant Review Panel Member, NHMRC
  • 2010 – present Member, Alfred Health Ethics Committee
  • 2010 – 2016 Member, MS Advisory Council, Victoria (Chair 2014 – 2016)
  • 2008 – present Member, Alfred Health Research Review Committee
  • 2007 – present Victorian HIV Blood and Tissue Storage Bank Steering Committee
  • 2002 – present Australian National NeuroAIDS Brain & Tissue Bank Steering Committee
  • 2001 – 2005 Treasurer, Australian Doctors Orchestra