Public Health Interventions Research Group
The Public Health Interventions Research Group undertakes a diverse range of projects that focus on the evaluation of strategies to prevent infectious disease. We collaborate extensively within NCHECR and externally, and emphasise research that benefits the health of disadvantaged populations in Australia and the Asia-Pacific Region. Much of our work also has a strong capacity building component. The group is currently involved in projects related to the control of HIV, sexually transmitted infections, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis, scabies and trachoma. Countries of activity include Australia, Papua Guinea, Indonesia, Cambodia and Fiji.
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John M Kaldor BA MA PhD
Professor of Epidemiology
John Kaldor is a NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellow. He holds a doctorate in Biostatistics from the University of California. Berkeley, and began his research career at the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France. For over 20 years he has built and led internationally recognised research programs at UNSW on the epidemiology and prevention of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections.
His research has covered a wide range of projects, including the development and implementation of public health surveillance systems, investigations of HIV-related cancer, cohort and cross-sectional investigations of risk factors for infectious disease transmission, and interventional trials of disease prevention strategies.
With over 500 peer reviewed scientific publications that have been cited collectively over 15,500 times, Professor Kaldor has been a highly influential contributor to public health knowledge. His work has guided policy in disease control, particularly in relation to the prevention of HIV infection. Professor Kaldor has also served on numerous policy and advisory committees in Australia and Internationally. He has had close working relationships with public health programs in a number of countries of the Asia-Pacific region, particularly Cambodia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
Professor Kaldor is a past President of the Australasian Epidemiological Association, and currently serves as a ministerially appointed member of the Repatriation Medical Authority and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council.
jkaldor@nchecr.unsw.edu.au
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Andrew Vallely MBBS, MRCP, MSC, DTMH, PhD
Associate Professor
Andrew Vallely has over 15 years experience in international public health, HIV/STI and infectious disease interventions research. He has designed and coordinated clinical and qualitative research in Australia, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tanzania, United Kingdom and Vanuatu. As Clinical Site Principal Investigator, he led the Microbicides Development Programme (MDP) feasibility study and the MDP301 phase III efficacy and safety trial of PRO2000/5 Gel in Mwanza, Tanzania (2002-07). This multi-centre study was the largest phase III vaginal microbicide trial conducted to date, with over 9000 participants from 6 sites in 4 sub-Saharan African countries.
In addition to his experience in clinical and epidemiological research, he has conducted participatory action-orientated research among vulnerable populations in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu; in agro-industrial communities in rural Kenya; among transactional and commercial sex workers in Tanzania; and among refugees and asylum seekers in London, UK.
avallely@nchecr.unsw.edu.au
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Bette Liu MBBS(Hons) MPH(Hons) PhD
Senior Lecturer
Bette Liu is a medically trained epidemiologist. She completed her medical degree and a Masters of Public Health at the University of Sydney and her doctorate in epidemiology at the University of Oxford. Her interests are in infections and reproductive health, as well as large scale prospective cohorts and data linkage studies.
bliu@nchecr.unsw.edu.au |
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Louise Causer MBBS, MSc, DTM&H
Lecturer
Louise Causer is a medical epidemiologist and lecturer at NCHECR. She has interest and experience across a number of international public health issues, primarily those with an infectious disease focus such as HIV and malaria.
Louise’s current work at NCHECR relates to partnership development and capacity building. She is responsible for coordinating an HIV research training and capacity building program in Indonesia and Cambodia which includes epidemiology, biostatistics, and research methodologies.
Louise’s other current interest relates to the role and impact of STI point-of-care tests in different populations. She is endeavouring to incorporate this into a PhD in the coming years.
lcauser@nchecr.unsw.edu.au |
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Joanne Micalef BMedSc (Hons), PhD
Lecturer
jmicalef@nchecr.unsw.edu.au
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Skye McGregor BA BSc MA
Program Manager
Skye McGregor is Program Manager for the Public Health Interventions Research Group. She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Masters in International Development, both from the University of New South Wales.
She is currently involved in a number of projects, including: STRIVE, a large community randomized trial throughout the NT, Queensland and WA; the HIV Consortium for Partnerships in Asia and the Pacific, a capacity building project in Indonesia and Cambodia; the International Collaborative Indigenous Health Resilience Project; and the Trachoma Surveillance Reference Unit.
Her primary interest is international public health and she is undertaking a Masters of Philosophy, examining health priority setting in developing countries.
smcgregor@nchecr.unsw.edu.au |
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