Burnet is drawing upon more than ten years of tuberculosis (TB) research to find new ways of reducing the transmission and ongoing impacts of airborne infections - a major contributor to deaths, illness and global health inequities.
TB and COVID-19 are both airborne infections, caused by pathogens carried in by small particles suspended in the air.
Two internationally acclaimed TB and global health researchers, Professor Guy Marks AO and Professor Helen Cox are joining Burnet to enhance its already strong TB elimination and airborne infection research.
Professor Marks, a respiratory and public health physician, and epidemiologist with an international reputation in lung health, is also the president and interim executive director of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.
He said he was looking forward to joining Burnet, where he will focus on translating knowledge and developing solutions for global airborne infections, including TB, COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.
"My research - in Australia, Vietnam, and several other countries - has focused on public health and clinical approaches to ending tuberculosis, as well as the health effects of environmental exposures such as air pollution, allergens, and airborne pathogens," he said.
"I have previously collaborated with Burnet Institute on research projects focussing on TB and indoor air quality and I am looking forward to continuing this important work."
Professor Cox is an epidemiologist and public health practitioner returning to Australia from South Africa. She has extensive program experience and a track record of research that has had a major impact on TB policies.
She is no stranger to Burnet - having completed a NHMRC Postdoctoral Fellowship here from 2007 to 2009, when she received the Victorian Premier's award for medical research.
She also received the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease's Scientific Prize for sustained contributions to TB research in 2015.
"This new role will involve conducting TB implementation research, along with managing the design and execution of TB and respiratory disease research programs domestically and internationally," she said.
"This will span across the Institute's public health and international development disciplines."
Professor Marks and Professor Cox will also be involved in Burnet research in clean indoor air, including the recently announced ELUCIDAR study - the world's largest study of its type to assess the effectiveness of germicidal UV (GUV) light in reducing the transmission of infections, in residential aged care facilities.
GUV light is an old technology that has been used to reduce the transmission of TB and shows promise for other diseases, such as COVID-19 and influenza.
"Tuberculosis disproportionately affects people living in disadvantaged communities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. COVID remains a global health crisis, which we are still coming to terms with," Professor Marks said.
"By leveraging the knowledge gained from research into TB, we can develop more effective strategies to prevent, detect, and treat other airborne diseases, including COVID-19 and influenza."
Burnet Director and CEO Professor Brendan Crabb AC said it was terrific to see the Institute using its strong history of tuberculosis research to find innovative solutions to other airborne viruses.
"This is at the heart of Burnet's ethos, using our research expertise and sharing knowledge to solve complex health issues that disproportionately impact communities living with vulnerability," he said.
"I am excited to have Professor Marks and Professor Cox joining Burnet to help us expand our research efforts in airborne diseases and to amplify this important work."
Burnet collaborates closely with partner organisations, local and national governments, and international bodies including the World Health Organization (WHO) on its work in TB elimination and implementation science, which has been a focussed area of Burnet's global health and research efforts since 2013.
Burnet's work in TB elimination is supported by the efforts of a diverse team of researchers and partners, in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and Solomon Islands, including Dr Philipp du Cros, Dr Khai Lin Huang, Dr Gail Cross, Dr Dani Lin, Dr Jane Greig, Geoff Chan, Dr Tafireyi Marukutira, Nomin-Dora Tenakanai, Naomi Pank, Dr Frederick Charles, Professor Steve Graham and many others.
