Background

Robson holds a bachelor's and licentiate's degree in Biological Sciences, as well as a PhD in Immunology. He worked in several research institutions throughout the world, including the Max-Planck Institute (Germany), Yale University (the United States), the Peter Doherty Institute, and Monash University (Australia), establishing his Microbial Pathogenicity and Innate Immunity scientific expertise.

Robson has been successful in researching highly adaptable intracellular pathogens and their host responses. His current research aims to minimise the burden of Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika viruses by determining how the insect endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia pipiensis blocks the transmission of these viruses to humans. This knowledge will support the longevity of Wolbachia as a biocontrol tool for mosquito-borne diseases and possibly expedite its application to other insect-borne viruses.

Qualifications

• 2016: Bachelor’s and Licentiate’s degree in Biological Sciences, Federal University of Vicosa, Brazil;
• 2021: PhD in Sciences - Basic and Applied Immunology, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Positions

• 2021-2024: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Monash University;
• 2024-current: Postdoctoral Research Officer, Arbovirology working group, Burnet Institute.

Awards

• 2019: Best rapid poster and oral presentation, BacPath 15, Perth, Australia;
• 2021: Best oral presentation, host-pathogen interactions, XXXI Brazilian Conference in Microbiology, Brazil;
• 2022: Best oral presentation, viral host-pathogen interactions session, Australasian Virology Society Conference – ASV11, Gold Coast, Australia.