Dr Joshua Hayward
Senior Research Officer
Working groups

Background
Dr. Hayward is a molecular virologist and computational biologist working within the Retroviral Biology and Antivirals research laboratory (RBA). His research involves the identification and characterisation of novel retroviruses in Australian mammals such as bats, and the immunological interface between bats and viruses. He is also involved in research focussed on the microbiome within the female reproductive tract and the metabolites that they produce, with respect to their impact on sexually transmitted infections. Dr. Hayward is a lecturer in molecular virology at Monash University and post-graduate supervisor of PhD and Honours students within the RBA.
Qualifications
- 2016: PhD in Molecular Microbiology, Monash University, Australia
- 2010: BScAdv(Hons), Monash University, Australia
Awards
- 2020: Jim and Margaret Beever Fellowship
- 2019: Australasian Virology Society Award
- 2018: Harold Mitchell Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship
- 2018: Ian Potter Award
- 2017: Australasian Virology Society Award
- 2016: Harold Mitchell Foundation Postgraduate Fellowship
- 2015: Monash University Teaching Commendation based on student evaluations
- 2010: Monash University Department of Microbiology Ed Westaway Prize
- 2010: Monash Vice Chancellor’s Honours-PhD Scholarship
Burnet publications
View 16 moreLactic acid produced by optimal vaginal Lactobacillus species potently inactivates HIV-1 by several mechanisms including promoting inhibition of virion-associated reverse transcriptase activity and viral RNA degradation
Research Square (Research Square)
Muriel Aldunate et al
KoRV-related retroviruses in diverse Australian and African rodent species
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Joshua A. Hayward, Gilda Tachedjian
GALV-KoRV-related retroviruses in diverse Australian and African rodent species
Virus Evolution
Joshua A. Hayward, Shuoshuo Tian, Gilda Tachedjian
Current projects
View 4 more
Bat viruses and antiviral factors
We’ve discovered Hervey pteropid gammaretrovirus, the first replication competent retrovirus circulating in Australian fruit bats, suggesting that bats can deal with multiple viral threats.
Impact of a vaginal microbiota metabolite on epithelium integrity and HIV susceptibility
We investigate how a factor produced by optimal microbiota augments the cervicovaginal mucosal barrier to prevent HIV acquisition.
Vaginal microbiota and HIV susceptibility
Projects are available to determine the direct anti-HIV and bactericidal mechanisms of vaginal microbiota metabolites.