At the Centre for Innovation in Infectious Disease and Immunology Research (CIIDIR), researchers from Deakin University and Barwon Health bring together their expertise to develop novel strategies for disease prevention, treatment and control.
At CIIDIR, we foster cross-disciplinary collaboration to drive innovative research that is both locally relevant and internationally significant. Our high-impact research spans four key pillars, addressing some of our most challenging infectious and immune-mediated diseases, such as Covid-19 and asthma.
We investigate the interactions between hosts, pathogens and medical devices to identify critical biological pathways involved in infection and inflammation.
Our basic and translational research on immunity, inflammation and microbial diversity supports the development of vaccines, biomarkers and therapeutic interventions.
By studying epidemiology and surveillance, we reveal patterns of disease and disease transmission in human populations.
We conduct clinical studies of infectious disease and immune disorders to gather insights for public health interventions.
If you’re a researcher or clinician passionate about addressing infectious disease challenges, CIIDIR offers numerous ways to engage with our vibrant network. Discover opportunities for job positions, seed grants, and PhD or Honours programs.
CIIDIR brings together researchers from Deakin’s School of Medicine and Barwon Health, with expertise across clinical research, epidemiology, infectious disease, molecular biology, population genetics, microbiome and immunology.
Professor Alyssa Barry is the co-director of CIIDIR and head of the Translational Genomics Working Group at the Burnet Institute. Her research aims to understand genomic epidemiology, pathogen surveillance, drug resistance and antigenic diversity.
Professor Eugene Athan is the co-director of CIIDIR and inaugural director of the Barwon South West Public Health Unit. He’s particularly interested in infective endocarditis, health care associated and medical device infections, antimicrobial resistance and emerging infectious diseases.
Since 2022, our researchers have been at the forefront of impactful studies in human infectious diseases, microbiome research and immunology. By connecting their findings to a national network, they’re enhancing responses to both emerging and existing disease threats on a local and global scale.
Malaria is a severe global health challenge with 229 million cases and over 400,000 fatalities annually. Our research aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms of parasite-host interactions that allow malaria parasites to thrive within their hosts. We’ll use these findings to discover new vaccine and drug targets to reduce the disease’s morbidity and mortality.
Since 2016, Australia has been at the forefront of global efforts to eliminate hepatitis C. Progress has stalled and treatment uptake has fallen. Our researchers aim to map the hepatitis C care cascade in Western Victoria, targeting gaps with impactful interventions.
CIIDIR thrives on an extensive network of strategic collaborations. We work closely with Deakin’s Institute for Frontier Materials and the School of Health and Social Development, as well as Barwon Health’s Department of Infectious Diseases and the Australian Rickettsial Reference Library. Our collaborations also extend to external partners, including CSIRO and the Doherty Institute. These partnerships enhance our research capabilities, foster innovation and support impactful health solutions.
If you have any queries or want to stay up to date on our latest research news and events, please get in touch.
Email the CIIDIR team
Visit the CIIDIR website
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