Background
Kaitlin is a PhD student at Burnet and the University of Adelaide, supervised by Professor James Beeson, Dr Herbert Opi and Associate Professor Danny Wilson. Her research focuses on malaria immunity and vaccine development. Her PhD project is dedicated to identifying antigens targeted by immunity to Plasmodium vivax, with the goal of advancing new vaccine strategies.
Her work involves investigating blood-stage parasite proteins and their capacity to induce diverse antibody functions in individuals naturally exposed to malaria. Using a combination of immunoassays and flow cytometry with immune cells and sera from endemic populations, Kaitlin is assessing candidate P. vivax antigens for their potential as next-generation vaccine targets. Another key aspect of her project is adapting immune assays to a novel model system in Plasmodium knowlesi, in collaboration with the Wilson Laboratory at the University of Adelaide. This approach enables, for the first time, the study of immunity to P. vivax using a live parasite model.
Kaitlin previously completed her honours research project at Burnet within the same research group. In 2021, she was awarded a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from Monash University. Before beginning her PhD, she also worked as a research assistant in the Malaria Immunity and Vaccines group, gaining valuable skills that continue to support her doctoral studies.
Qualifications
- 2023–present: PhD, University of Adelaide, Australia
- 2021: Bachelor of Science (Honours), Monash University, Australia
- 2018–2020: Bachelor of Science, Monash University, Australia
Appointments
2021–present: Australian Society for Parasitology
Positions
2022–present: Research Assistant, Malaria Immunity and Vaccines, Burnet Institute, Australia
Awards
- 2025: Student conference travel grant, Australian Society for Parasitology
- 2024: Shark Tank internal project funding, Burnet Institute
- 2023: Student conference travel grant, Australian Society for Parasitology
- 2023: Research training program (RTP) stipend and fees offset, University of Adelaide, Australia
Current projects
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Vaccines against malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax
The project identifies and prioritises candidate antigens for vaccine development.
Developing next-generation mRNA vaccines for malaria
Vaccination is a highly effective strategy to protect populations against infectious diseases. Highly protective and long-lasting vaccines are needed to reduce the global burden of malaria and enable elimination.
Malaria Synergy Program
The program brings together experts to achieve the goals of malaria elimination in the Asia-Pacific region and globally.