Each year, millions of people die from infectious diseases and malnutrition.

The Asia Pacific Region is home to over half of the world’s population, including areas of significant poverty.Each year, millions of people die from infectious diseases and malnutrition. Our goal is to join partners in the region to undertake quality research to determine the most effective, affordable and appropriate approaches to prevention and treatment to prevent these deaths. The tropical environment of northern Australia also has particular microscopic and macroscopic hazards.

The Global and Tropical Health division conducts research into bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi that are a particular threat to humans.

Globally we work across many key areas of public health importance including: malaria, tuberculosis, bacterial infections, and maternal and child health and nutrition. Our partners in the region are diverse and include health care providers, policy makers, and researchers from countries including Indonesia, East Timor, Malaysia, Fiji, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Bangladesh, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Tanzania and Madagascar.

In Australia, our work includes research on the bacterial agents of skin disease such as Staphylococcus aureus and streptococci, the scabies mite, and the soil borne bacterium that causes melioidosis.

One of the key features of Menzies’ health research is translation from bench top to bedside, evidence to policy, policy to practice. Our research priorities are shaped by the needs of the countries with which we work, and informed by partnerships with key stakeholders including local and international practitioners. Through collaborative research and capacity building, we aim to find meaningful and relevant ways to improve the health of people in the region.

The management of the division is supported by a range of personnel including:
Division Head – Professor Nick Anstey
Business Manager – Hichem Demortier
Administrative Support – Melissa Gallop
Research Administration – Kate McKay

Awards:
• Professors Nick Anstey and Ric Price have been awarded a NHMRC Program Grant
• Professor Kim Mulholland, with other Menzies staff, was awarded a NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Pneumococcal Vacinology.
• Professor Ric Price has been awarded at Wellcome Trust Senior Fellowship
• Dr Steven Tong was the winner of the inaugural Fulbright Northern Territory Scholarship.
• Dr Tsin Yeo was the winner of the 2011 Northern Territory Chief Minister’s Research & Innovation Award.

See our recent publications.