01 Dec 2016
Doherty Institute welcomes new Director to WHO Collaborating Centre
Leading virologist and influenza researcher, Dr Kanta Subbarao has been appointed the Director of WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza (WHO CCRRI), The Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Doherty Institute.
Dr Subbarao joins the Centre from the National Institutes of Health in the US where she was a Senior Investigator and Chief of the Emerging Respiratory Viruses Section at the Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Her research focuses on the pathogenesis of influenza and influenza vaccinology, especially pandemic influenza, as well as studies of other emerging respiratory viruses.
Having worked in influenza public health and research since 1990, Dr Subbarao said the idea of combining the two interests is what brought her to the Doherty Institute.
“The WHO Centre is very well respected in the international area, the opportunity to be leading it is a real honour,” she said.
“I intend to start off by getting to know the staff, understandingd the strengths of the centre, and seeing how our visions for the future can come together.”
Doherty Institute Director, Professor Sharon Lewin said Dr Subbarao was a great fit for the WHO CCRRI.
“Kanta has received numerous awards and distinctions in her previous role at NIH. Her expertise in influenza and other respiratory viruses will be key to further strengthening WHO CCRRI’s already internationally significant public health and research work,” Professor Lewin said.
“I would also like to thank Ian Barr for his role as acting director of the Centre over the last 18 months. Under Ian’s leadership, the CCRRI has continued to strengthen and make a great contribution to our understanding of influenza globally.”