speakers

Our

International Speakers


Lousie Davies

Wales Specialist Virology Centre

Louise Davies, Senior Biomedical Scientist at the Wales Specialist Virology Centre in Cardiff, is the National Infectious Disease Point of Care Testing (POCT) Lead for Public Health Wales. She has led the strategic expansion of POCT services across the country, supporting efforts to meet the WHO’s Hepatitis C elimination targets. Her work includes implementing POCT services in various setting and coordinating mass screening projects in prisons, homeless shelters, and substance misuse services. Looking ahead, she aims to further expand POCT to enhance patient care and public health outcomes.

Donna Mitchell 

 Canterbury Health Laboratories

Donna Mitchell is a Senior Scientist currently working in Serology/Virology at Canterbury Health Laboratories in New Zealand, as well as serving as a Serology QAP Consultant for the Pacific Pathology Training Centre. She has experience in both private and public laboratories across New Zealand and has previously worked in the commercial sector selling laboratory systems and products. In the 1990s, she was involved in the initial introduction of PCR testing (then known as LCR) for Chlamydia and TB in New Zealand diagnostic laboratories and also played a role in launching the product in Australia.

Dr Xun Wang

Shanghai Blood Center

Associate Chief Technician, primarily engaged in blood testing operations and management of blood screening laboratory in Shanghai Blood Center. Previously served as Head of the Quality Assurance Department and currently holds the position of Head of Blood Screening Laboratory. Key profession focus includes: 

-Establishing the laboratory quality control system for nucleic acid testing in blood screening laboratory. 

-Process validation. 

 -Research on strategy and progress in the immunological testing and nucleic acid testing for infectious agents transmitted through blood transfusion. 

Participated in multiple research projects at the centre and authored several academic papers. Translated industry standards related to blood transfusion. Received advanced training at Blood works Northwest (Seattle,

 USA).  Professional Affiliation: Young Committee Member, Transfusion Medicine Branch of Shanghai Medical Association.

Dr Vanny You

National Institute of Public Health (NIPH)

Dr. Vanny You currently serves as Chief of the Internal Quality Assurance Bureau at the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH). She is a pharmacist doctor by training and earned her Master of Science in Epidemiology in 2020. Her primary responsibilities include establishing and coordinating the Laboratory Quality Management System (LQMS) training program for clinical laboratories in public hospitals, aligned with ISO 15189 and ISO 15190 standards accredited at NIPH. She has also developed strategies to expand the program’s coverage and ensure its sustainability nationwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. You led a team that provided technical and managerial support for the establishment of PCR diagnostic laboratories and the implementation of their quality management systems. She is committed to strengthening the resilience of Cambodia’s laboratory system to ensure preparedness for emerging and re-emerging pathogens. Dr. You has published two articles in the Cambodia Journal of Public Health, highlighting her work on the LQMS program and the setup of COVID-19 PCR laboratories.

Kimsorn Pa

National Institute of Public Health (NIPH)

Kimsorn Pa is the Quality Manager and ISO Project Team Leader at Cambodia’s National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL), Phnom Penh. She leads the implementation and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System, aligning it with national and international standards. Under her leadership, NPHL earned ISO 15189 Plus accreditation from Accreditation Canada in February 2019—the first such achievement in Cambodia. She then supported the National Center for HIV/AIDS Dermatology and STD (NCHADS) Laboratory and the Siem Reap Medical Laboratory (SRML), both of which achieved ISO 15189 Plus accreditation in June 2025. Currently, she provides technical support to six more laboratories across Cambodia in pursuit of ISO 15189 accreditation, while also guiding NPHL toward ISO 17043 accreditation within the next two years. Kimsorn holds a Master of Public Health, an MBA, a Bachelor of Education in English, and qualifications as a Medical Laboratory Technologist.

Ky Somon

National Institute of Public Health (NIPH)

Mrs. Ky Somon currently works as an External Quality Assurance (EQA) Officer at the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Cambodia. She began her career in a medical laboratory since 2011. Her core responsibilities include coordinating all national/International EQA programs and maintaining communication with relevant providers, stakeholders, and participating laboratories. She plays a key role in strengthening the National EQA program at NIPH, particularly in EQA for HIV Voluntary Confidential Counseling and Testing (VCCT) and NRML EQA Serology. Her work encompasses the production, distribution, and evaluation of results in collaboration with her EQA Team Leader and the team. She is dedicated to ensuring that all participating laboratories enhance their performance by participate in External Quality Assessment Program. Mrs. Ky Somon is committed to supporting her team in the development and implementation of EQA processes in Cambodia to achieve ISO/IEC 17043 accreditation by 2027.

Our

Local Speakers


Dr Ian Norton

Respond Global

Ian is managing director of Respond Global and Sotero Healthcare. He is an Emergency Physician but spent the last 20 years focused on disasters and emergency management for health crisis. He is lead author of the Global standards used by Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) deploying in disasters and outbreaks and worked for 6 years in WHO managing the EMT initiative across 130 countries. He led responses to the West African and DRC Ebola responses, the Mosul conflict in Northern Iraq, 2015 Nepal Earthquake, Diphtheria outbreak affecting 8,000 children in the Rohingya camps of 2017 among many others. Prior to this he led the development of Australia’s Medical Assistance Teams (AUSMAT) and their response to dengue outbreaks in Solomon Islands, Pakistan floods and typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Ian is passionate about systems strengthening for local response including the role of point of care and field-based laboratory systems in crisis.


Ass/Prof Jess Howell

The Burnett

Associate Professor Jessica Howell MBBS(Hons) FRACP PhD MSc(Epi) PGDip(PH) FGESA is a gastroenterologist/ hepatologist, NHMRC Principal Research Fellow and Head of the Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer research group in the Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne/ University of Melbourne and Burnet Institute. She is also Chair, Gastroenterology Society of Australia (GESA) Liver Faculty (2023-2027). She combines clinical, basic science and public health expertise in translational research projects in liver cancer and viral hepatitis, focused on marginalized populations. She currently leads several multi-centre studies in rapid point-of-care diagnostics in viral hepatitis, biomarker development in liver cancer, health systems research and international health programs for viral hepatitis in low resource settings. She is a technical advisor to the World Health Organisation. 

Dr Sophie Moustaka 

NACCHO

Dr Sophie Moustaka is a Public Health Registrar at NACCHO. Sophie has a Master's degree in Public Health and her work focuses on supporting Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations to plan and respond to communicable disease issues, including STIs and BBVs. 


Assoc. Pro. Tanya Applegate

The Kirby Institute

Tanya Applegate has worked and studied as laboratory research scientist for over 20 years, including within regulatory, hospital, private industry and academic environments. Tanya's PhD specialised in the development of novel molecular diagnostics and her implementation research aims to provide equitable access to health care by improving linkage to care for people who are marginalised or living in remote or resource limited settings.

Tanya is a Senior Lecturer within Surveillance Evaluation and Research Program at the Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, a Scientific Manager of the RAPID (Research for Asia Pacific Infectious Disease) Diagnostics Centre and a Co-Director of an ARC Industry Transformation Research Hub to combat antimicrobial resistance. 


Dr Jacqueline Mein

Queensland Health

Dr Jacki Mein is a sexual health physician and GP. Over the past 30 years she has worked across the north of Australia in the Kimberley, Darwin and the Top End, and Cape York, as well as a brief stint in PNG.

Her interests are women's health and indigenous health, and good sexual health for all.


Michelle Francis

Royal Melbourne Hospital

With over 30 years of experience in medical microbiology, Michelle is currently the Senior Scientist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. She has leveraged her expertise to enhance microbiological practices and improve patient care. She holds a Master’s degree in Medical Science, specialising in Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology, from RMIT University. Michelle is dedicated to promoting innovation in the field and enhancing laboratory practices through her vast knowledge and experience.


Maxine Whittaker

James Cook University

Maxine Whittaker, a public health physician, academic, advocate and health systems researcher, focuses on improving community and health systems and services to increase equity, inclusiveness, accessibility and acceptability of quality services and on the implementation of One Health. She is Emeritus at James Cook University, a member of the One Health High Level Expert Panel of the Quadripartite (FAO, WHO, WOAH and UNEP), a Commissioner for the Lancet Global Health Commission on People-centred Care for UHC, Affiliate Faculty Harvard Medical School Center for Primary Care, Civil Society Representative for the Global Fund Regional Artemisinin Initiative (Greater Mekong Subregion) Regional Steering Committee  and on several national and international committees, and editorial roles for several One Health/public health journals. Maxine has lived/worked in several Asian, African and Pacific countries, published 180+ papers and awarded the Royal Australasian College of Physicians International Medal in recognition of outstanding service in developing countries (2017).

Dr Philippa Hetzel

NRL

Pip is the Director of NRL, an operating division of St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research. NRL delivers trusted, premium solutions for infectious disease testing underpinned by its global reputation, technical scientific excellence, and public health partnerships. We provide an extensive range of products and services, particularly quality assurance offerings. As a WHO Collaborating Centre for Diagnostics and Laboratory support and a WHO IVD Prequalification Evaluation Laboratory, NRL brings significant value to SVI, in international reputation and delivering science as a service.

Prior to joining NRL, Pip worked in public health and the blood transfusion sectors including over twenty-five years at Australian Red Cross Lifeblood in both State and National leadership roles being responsible for delivering Australia’s blood supply from donor recruitment, through to the distribution of blood and blood products. She is currently Chair of IRVA’s International Testing Working Group for HTLV and Co-Chair of the Executive of the Australian Network of WHO CCs.

Dr Nick Vandegraaff

NRL

Nick is a scientist with a background in retroviral research and extensive industry experience in drug and device development. At the NRL, he has oversight of R&D activities for all internal programs, as well as a strong focus (working closely with members of the International Retrovirology Association (IRVA)) on improving the quality and accessibility of testing for Human T lymphotropic virus (HTLV) both within Australia and in other remote and/or low resource regions of the world. With an extensive knowledge of the various standards under which new IVDs can be designed and developed, his team also work closely with industry and academic clients to assist in developing new diagnostic tests across a range of disease areas. As part of his Clinical Services role, Nick is responsible for all reference and TGA-licensed blood and tissue donor screening activities that are conducted across NRL’s two GMP sites in the greater Melbourne area. 

Angelo Margaritis

Lifeblood


Navin Karan 

VIDRL

Navin Karan is a Senior Medical Scientist, and Training and Capacity Manager for the Victorian Infectious Diseases Laboratory (VIDRL). He is currently a co-lead of the Public Health Cross Cutting Discipline at the Doherty Institute and an Honorary Fellow at the Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne (UoM). He has extensive experience working with developing nations, strengthening laboratory systems to improve diagnostic and public health services through provision of technical training and advise to regional agencies, partner organisations and country Ministries of Health. Navin is an expert advisor on laboratory systems and capacity building for the Asia-Pacific region and co-leads the eLABorate Project at the Doherty Institute. 

Linda E

Lifeblood

Linda E is a Project Manager for Scientific & Digital Transformation at Australian Red Cross Lifeblood. She holds a Bachelor of Medical Sciences from Macquarie University and has extensive experience in the verification and validation of new test methods in national testing laboratory networks. Linda's particular area of expertise is haematology, and she has also led the implementation of new technologies and test methods in bacterial contamination screening, blood grouping and infectious disease serology.

Indya Gardner

Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology

Indya Gardner is a Senior Scientist at Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology, with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science from the University of Queensland. During her time in private pathology, she has specialised in molecular diagnosis of infectious diseases and has contributed to the validation and/or verification of new assays introduced into diagnostic service.

Rory Gough

RCPAQAP

Rory Gough is a scientist at the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Quality Assurance Programs (RCPAQAP), where he has worked since 2022. He contributes to the development and delivery of external quality assurance programs across the microbiology disciplines of Biosecurity, Molecular Infectious Diseases, and Synovial Fluids. His work supports the continual improvement of diagnostic accuracy and laboratory preparedness, with a focus on strengthening capability in laboratories globally.


Gabriel Chen

Eastern Health

Gabriel Chen is a Microbiology Scientist (Grade 1) working in a clinical pathology laboratory, passionate about infectious diseases and committed to continuous learning and growth in diagnostic microbiology.



Caroline Thant

PathWest

Caroline Thant is currently working in the Tissue Culture and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory at PathWest Laboratory Medicine, where she focuses on assay development and viral diagnostics. Her work includes the development of a focus reduction neutralisation test (FRNT) for flaviviruses and the application of FRNTs to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in response to Nirsevimab. She is passionate about advancing diagnostic tools for infectious diseases through innovative laboratory research.


Kevin Tran

St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research

Kevin Tran, is a Technical Officer at St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, working in the clinical trials and biorepository team and supporting research initiatives through the processing of various biospecimens. Additionally, he contributes to the DBS group, assisting in research and testing related to HIV and Hepatitis


Alma Redzic

VIDRL

Alma is a medical scientist at the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory with seven years of experience in Infectious Diseases Serology. She focuses on serological testing to accurately diagnose and monitor infectious diseases, including HIV and Hepatitis. Alma’s work emphasises diagnostic testing and disease surveillance, to support public health initiatives and improve community health outcomes. 



Eileen Hor

VIDRL

Eileen Hor is a medical scientist at the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL), a leading centre providing specialist diagnostic services in infectious diseases.

VIDRL Bacteriology plays a crucial role in diagnosing sexually transmitted infections, identifying parasitic and fungal infections, and is serving as the reference laboratory for Legionellosis in Victoria.

She is highly proficient in bacteriology, parasitology, and mycology, with a particular focus in the development of molecular diagnostic assays.

Her expertise allows her to contribute to the laboratory’s critical work in advancing diagnostic accuracy and improving patient outcomes.


Bernadette Portelli

NRL

Bernadette Portelli is the EQAS Lead at NRL Quality Assurance Services. She holds a Bachelor of Biological Science in Cell and Molecular Biology from Deakin University and has nearly a decade of experience in private pathology. Specialising in infectious disease serology and molecular diagnostics across human and veterinary applications, Bernadette has a strong interest in quality assurance in both serology and molecular testing. Notably, she played a key role in validating new diagnostic tests and developed several EQA programs at NRL, enhancing the reliability and quality of diagnostic testing.

Craig Leeman

Pathology Queensland

Craig has more than 25 years of experience in diagnostic microbiology, working across public, private, and commercial sectors. He has recently joined Pathology Queensland as the Supervising Senior Scientist for Infectious Disease Serology, where she leads specialist diagnostic services that support both clinical care and public health.

To complement his laboratory expertise, he completed a Master of Public Health and Epidemiology at the University of Queensland, strengthening his focus on the intersection of diagnostics, patient outcomes, and population health.


Varalee Subthavon

Monash Health Pathology

Varalee Subthavon is a medical scientist at Monash Health Pathology. She routinely works in multiple areas of microbiology, rotating through bacteriology, serology and molecular laboratories. Working in these areas of microbiology broadens her knowledge to perform diagnostic laboratory testing and enhance patient care.

James Ward

Poche Centre for Indigenous Health


Andrew Kelly

St Vincent's Center for Applied Medical Research

Andrew Kelly is a Research Assistant at St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, working within the DBS Group. His work primarily focuses on research and testing related to HIV and hepatitis C.



Carol Timmins

St Vincent's Hospital

Carol Timmins is the Grade 3 Supervising Scientist of the Serology/Molecular Biology areas in the Microbiology laboratory at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne. Carol has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Laboratory Science and has over 25 years’ experience working in public pathology. 


Janice Lai

Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology



Evangaline Molina

Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology



 

Joshua Griffin

St Vincent's Hospital

Joshua Griffin is a Medical Scientist at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne. Specialising in Mycology with a keen interest in Molecular testing as well, Josh has successfully implemented Dermatophyte PCR into the laboratory, allowing for faster turnaround times, improved laboratory workflow and better patient outcomes


Dr Alex Rolfe

Monash University

Marcela Romano

Mater Pathology