Infection and Global Health

The Infectious Disease and Global Health division is dedicated to addressing major health challenges affecting all of humanity. By integrating research across multiple disciplines, we develop innovative solutions for diseases impacting billions worldwide.

We uncover fundamental disease mechanisms, with special emphasis on understanding how pathogen and the human body interact and translate these findings into treatments, diagnostics, and health policies. We then work closely with international partners to implement these solutions where they are needed most.

We take a “bench to community” approach, tackling both infectious and non-communicable diseases, including:

• Infectious diseases: malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, toxoplasmosis, intestinal infections and COVID-19
• Nutritional health: anaemia, vitamin deficiencies, and child growth
• Maternal and child health: pregnancy risks, stunting, and neurodevelopmental challenges

• Understand biological mechanisms of infectious and non-infectious diseases that affect humans, with a key focus of those most affected in low- and middle-income settings
• Develop new diagnostics, treatments, and prevention strategies
• Influence global health policy through high-quality research
• Train the next generation of researchers, including those from affected regions
• Foster international collaborations, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region

We bridge laboratory research with real-world applications through basic discovery biology, clinical trials, genomic studies, and epidemiological research. Our work prioritises local capacity building and policy development, ensuring sustainable improvements in healthcare. We also contribute to World Health Organization guidelines and global health strategies.

We make most impact through broad international collaborations. We work with leading research institutions worldwide, including LMIC partners in Africa, Asia, South America, and the Pacific. These collaborations enhance research impact and drive innovation in disease prevention and treatment.