Seed Grants Successful Applicants

Round 2, 2022

  • Hybrid genome assembly and annotation of Plasmodium vivax from the Asia-Pacific region
    Paolo Bareng, Deakin University

 

  • Determining the degree of infant exposure to primaquine through colostrum and transitional breast milk – opening the gateway to early postpartum radical cure to curb maternal Plasmodium vivax relapse
    Dr Brioni Moore, Curtin University

 

  • Predicting malaria transmissibility in a near elimination setting and identifying key drivers for malaria elimination
    Dr Kinley Wangdi, Australian National University

 

  • Genomic surveillance for emerging Plasmodium knowlesi malaria
    Dr Jacob Westaway, Menzies School of Health Research

 

Round 1, 2022

  • Defining the antigenic diversity of Plasmodium vivax apical membrane antigen-1 to inform vaccine development
    Dr Lee Yeoh, Burnet Institute

 

  • A statistical framework for identifying sufficient data to infer a total parasite biomass
    Dr David Price, Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne

 

  • Feasibility assessment of the use of Optical Mark Recognition around Vivax Malaria surveillance
    Dr Mary Malai, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research

 

  • Utilising community malaria volunteers to expand molecular and serological surveillance of malaria in pre-elimination settings
    Dr Win Han Oo, Burnet Institute

 

  • Web-based interactive tool to improve decision-making for malaria elimination in Vietnam
    Dr Yalemzewod Gelaw, Curtin University and Telethon Kids Institute

 

  • Collection of cells to isolate monoclonal antibodies to placental malaria antigens
    Dr Elizabeth Aitken, Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne

 

Round 2, 2021

  • MinION sequencing for rapid detection of imported P. vivax cases
    Dr Marianna Kleinecke, Menzies School of Health Research

 

  • Estimating disease prevalence in a sentinel site catchment population to complement case-based suveillance and develop decision-making tools
    Dr Diana Timbi, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research

 

  • Characterizing the longitudinal immune response to salivary antigens of Southeast Asian mosquito vectors of malaria, with a human challenge model
    Ms Ellen Kearney, Burnet Institute, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health

 

  • Understanding cross-reactive antibodies in children without documented exposure to malaria
    Dr Rhea Longley, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

 

  • Artificial Intelligence-based drug resistance screening of malaria parasites using ‘Read Until’
    Dr Kirsty McCann, Deakin University

 

  • Methodological comparison of P. vivax genotyping approaches for molecular surveillance within the ACREME network
    Dr Caitlin Bourke, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

 

  • Indentification of antibody targets and mechanisms associated with duration and spontaneous clearance of subclinical Plasmodium vivax infection
    Dr Katherine O’Flaherty, Burnet Institute

 

 

Round 1, 2021

  • Spatial imaging and transcriptomic analysis of immune cells and malaria parasites in Plasmodium-infected human spleens
    Dr Steven Kho, Menzies School of Health Research

 

  • Assessing the early development of functional antibody responses and target antigens in controlled human malaria infection to inform vaccine development
    Dr Linda Reiling, Burnet Institute

 

  • Investigating asymptomatic transmission of malaria parasites in the Madang province of Papua New Guinea
    Dr Lincoln Timinao, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research and Burnet Institute

 

 

Round 1, 2020

  • Validating molecular and serological tools for detecting hidden reservoirs of Plasmodium infections in Papua New Guinea
    Dr Fiona Angrisano, Burnet Institute

 

  • Investigating antibody responses to mosquito salivary antigens across the Asia Pacific to advance novel malaria surveillance strategies
    Dr Julia Cutts, Burnet Institute

 

  • Understanding the role of polymorphisms in vaccine escape to guide malaria vaccine development and implementation
    Dr Liriye Kurtovic, Burnet Institute

 

  • Optimal geospatial design of malaria surveillance programs
    Dr Freya Shearer, University of Melbourne

 

  • Serological exposure markers for P. vivax in pregnant women
    Dr Holger Unger, Menzies School of Health Research

 

  • Characterizing antibody responses to PfEMP1 as biomarkers of severe and uncomplicated malaria in Papua New Guinea
    Dr Isobel Walker, University of Melbourne

 

Round 2, 2019

  • How best can we detect the hidden splenic parasite biomass in human Plasmodium infection? Part 1: peripheral blood
    Dr Steven Kho, Menzies School of Health Research

 

  • Age-dependent diversity of innate immune responses in malaria
    Dr Jessica Loughland, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

 

  • Use of proteomics as a platform for evaluating new biomarkers for improving diagnosis of Plasmodium vivax for the purpose of malaria elimination
    Dr Sumudu Britton, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

 

  • Investigating the transmissibility of artemisinin-resistant P. falciparum and the effect of artesunate on gametocyte production
    Dr Zuleima Pava, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

 

Round 1, 2019

  • Field evaluation of a Point-of-Contact device for P. falciparum malaria serosurveillance
    Dr Aung Pyae Phyo, Burnet Institute

 

  • Functional human antibodies that target P. falciparum gametocytes to reduce malaria transmission
    Dr Jo-Anne Chan, Burnet Institute

 

  • The impact of a malaria infection on G6PD activity (MAGY)
    Dr Benedikt Ley, Menzies School of Health Research

 

  • Building capacity for an innovative amplicon deep sequencing tool to genotype Plasmodium infections for improved surveillance
    Dr Shazia Ruybal Pesántez, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

 

  • Development of a high-sensitivity reader for improving use of malaria RDTs
    Dr Leanna Surrao, Burnet Institute

 

Round 2, 2018

  • Enhanced geospatial surveillance for identifying malaria transmission hotspots using antenatal screening in PNG
    Dr Ricardo Ataide, Burnet Institute

 

  • Development of a novel mouse model of artemisinin-resistant malaria to screen and prioritize antimalarial drugs effective against artemisinin-resistant parasites
    Dr Maria Rebelo, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

 

  • Paving the way for universal radical cure
    Dr Kamala Thriemer, Menzies School of Health Research

 

Round 1, 2018

  • The cost-effectiveness of molecular epidemiology to inform malaria control program decision-making: a scoping exercise.
    Dr Angela Devine, Burnet Institute

 

  • Understanding RTS,S immunity to inform vaccine implementation and design an improved pre-erythrocyte stage vaccine to facilitate malaria elimination
    Dr Gaoqian Feng, Burnet Institute

 

  • Novel serological markers for surveillance of both P. vivax malaria exposure and immunity
    Dr Rhea Longley, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

 

  • Developing a multiscale model combining both within-host and population level information to predict the emergence and spread of antimalarial resistance
    Dr Pengxing Cao, University of Melbourne