HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention group

We conduct innovative research aimed at understanding the transmission and prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Group heads

Professor Mark A Stoové

About this group

We conduct innovative epidemiological and implementation research aimed at understanding the transmission, diagnosis and prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. We have a particular focus on priority populations including gay and bisexual men, trans and gender diverse people, young people and people who inject drugs.

In Australia, HIV notifications have steadily declined among some groups over the past decade. These declines are linked to the scale up of biomedical HIV prevention strategies. However, challenges remain for ensuring their equitable deployment and optimal strategic investment.

HIV is also a major public health issue across Southeast Asia, approximately 10 per cent of the world’s 37 million adults and children living with HIV reside.

Our main aims are:

undertaking research involving the groups most at risk of HIV and STIs, including gay and bisexual men, trans and gender diverse people, people who inject drugs, young people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities

integrating findings from our surveillance, epidemiology and research work to inform policy and practice to prevent the transmission of HIV and other STIs.

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Meeting With Dr. Sithu Aung Director Disease Control On Discussion About Collaboration Cooperation On HIV Surveillance Monitoring System Between Burnet And NAP

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Current projects

Open to students

Informing priorities in the HIV response in Australia

We're taking a multifaceted approach to HIV prevention and supporting the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV.

Open to students

ACCESS: Australian Collaboration for Coordinated Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance of Sexually Transmissible Infections and Blood Borne Viruses

ACCESS is a national sentinel surveillance network of sexually transmissible infections and blood-borne viruses.

Efficacy assessment of a new point-of-care test for confirmation of active syphilis in men who have sex with men

We're developing a novel rapid point of care test based on lateral flow technology for diagnosis of active syphilis in a single visit.

Past projects

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PATH: Prison and Transition Health cohort study

A unique prospective study of people incarcerated and released from prison with recent histories of injecting drug use in Australia.

WHISPER and SHOUT: mobile phone health interventions among sex workers in Kenya

We conducted a mobile phone-based health promotion with women who are sex workers in Mombasa, Kenya, to reduce unintended pregnancy.

ACCESS Myanmar: Assessing the feasibility of an integrated HIV cascade of care surveillance system in Myanmar

ACCESS Myanmar will implement and evaluate an electronic health records data linkage system that effectively monitors the progress of patients through HIV testing and treatment episodes of care across a network of partnering community and government services.

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News and features

DoxyPEP linked to major declines in syphilis and chlamydia diagnoses in Australia

Major Australian study finds syphilis diagnoses 55% lower and chlamydia diagnoses 36% lower than expected following the introduction of national doxyPEP prevention guidelines.

Pacific HIV Symposium 2026: responding to rising HIV rates

Pacific health leaders gathered at the Pacific HIV Symposium 2026 to strengthen the regional response to rising HIV rates, with testing a key focus.

Paul Dietze and his amazing technicolour HIV lab coat

Professor Paul Dietze has a unique memento from IAS2025, a custom-designed lab coat reimagined through the lens of #HIV science, fashion, and activism.

First-of-its-kind training manual to improve HIV care

In Papua New Guinea, Burnet is helping to strengthen the country’s HIV response through the Sexual & Reproductive Health Integration Project.

Celebrating Burnet excellence: Gust-McKenzie Medal and Frank Fenner Award

NHMRC grants for Burnet hepatitis B and STI research

Burnet projects aimed at reducing the burden of hepatitis B in Australia and STIs will be supported by NHMRC Investigator Grants.

Alastair Lucas Prize and Gust-McKenzie Medal

Dr Lindi Masson and Professor Josh Vogel have been announced as winners of two of Burnet’s most prestigious awards.

VMRAF grant for Burnet project to support women's sexual and reproductive health

A Burnet project targeting bacterial vaginosis has been awarded a grant from the Victorian Government’s Victorian Medical Research Acceleration Fund (VMRAF).