Background

Professor Leanne Robinson BSc Adv (Hons) PhD MPHTM is a leading vector-borne diseases researcher. An NHMRC Fellow and Senior Principal Research Fellow, Leanne is Co-Program Director of Health Security and Head of the Vector Borne Diseases and Tropical Public Health Group in the Health Security and Disease Elimination Programs at the Burnet Institute.

Leanne is a recognised expert in malaria epidemiology and implementation research for the control and elimination of malaria and neglected tropical diseases. She leads a highly collaborative and inter-disciplinary research program, with strong links to disease control programs.

Leanne spent 10 years living and working in Papua New Guinea (PNG), leading the implementation of novel cohort studies and intervention trials at the PNG Institute of Medical Research. She is committed to strengthening the capacity of researchers and health workers in endemic countries and has supervised and mentored numerous scientists around the world.

Qualifications

• 2011: Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Australia
• 2009: Doctor of Philosophy, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research & University of Melbourne, Australia
• 2002: Bachelor of Advanced Science (Hons), University of Sydney, Australia

Appointments

• Member, World Health Organization Vector Control Advisory Group Co-Program Director, Health Security, Burnet Institute
• Member of PNG Executive Committee and Chair of PNG Technical Oversight Committee, Burnet Institute
• IVCC Indo-Pacific Scientific Advisory Committee
• ACE-NTDs (NHMRC CRE) Executive Committee

Awards

• 2020 Burnet Institute Gust-McKenzie Medal
• 2019 Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research
• 2018 NHMRC Career Development Fellowship Level 2
• 2018: Gust Translational Fellowship
• 2018: NHMRC Career Development Fellowship
• 2014: Young Alumnae Award, The Women’s College, University of Sydney
• 2012-17: Craven & Shearer Award, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
• 2011: CJ Martin Early Career Research Fellowship, National Health and Medical Research Council
• 2005: Dora Lush Biomedical Postgraduate Scholarship, National Health and Medical Research Council
• 2003: University Medal, University of Sydney

Positions

• Senior Principal Research Fellow, Burnet Institute
• Working Group Head, Burnet Institute
• Laboratory Head, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
• Honorary Principal Research Fellow, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea
• Adjunct A/Professor, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
• Honorary Research Fellow, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

Reports + Policy Briefs

2022 (1)

• COVID-19 and its impacts on primary health services and public health infectious disease programs in Papua New Guinea. (PUBLIC HEALTH REPORT) Newland J, Neuendorf N, , Vallely L, Mek A, Vengiau G, Farquhar R, Boli-Neo R, Seymour M, Wratten M, Aeno H, Nake Trumb R, Kerry Z, Huang KL, Maalsen A, Homer C, Robinson L, , Majumdar S, Vallely A, Laman M, Pomat W, Kelly-Hanku A. WHO Papua New Guinea Commisioned Report. December, 2022.

2021 (1)

• COVID-19 Global Trends and Analyses Volume 1:- Global Epidemiology and Trends. (PUBLIC HEALTH REPORT) Toole M, Umali S, Majumdar S, Robinson L, Menon V. Know-C19 Burnet Institute. March, 2021.