The 2nd Asia Pacific Conference on Point-of-Care Testing for Infectious Diseases (POC25), co-led by RAPID and ASHM, brought together leading voices and emerging researchers from across the region.
This seminar will feature five early- to mid-career researchers who will share rapid perspectives of highlights from POC25, followed by a Q&A session facilitated by Tanya Applegate (RAPID) and Jessica Michaels (ASHM) as co-chairs.
| Dr Louise Chow Louise Chow is a molecular biologist specialising in antimicrobial resistance and the research and development of in vitro diagnostic medical devices. In her role at the Kirby Institute, she evaluates innovative diagnostic platforms, with a particular focus on sexually transmissible infections and point-of-care testing solutions. |
| Dr Anna Conway Anna Conway investigates hepatitis C and drug use at the Kirby Institute. Her research draws on social sciences and epidemiology to explore barriers to health and wellbeing at the program and policy levels. |
| Mr Glen Duncan Glen Duncan is a project officer for the Rapid Applied Research Translation and Yandamanjang First Nations Health Research Program currently specialising in governance. |
| Ms Akriti Sharma Akriti Sharma is a data scientist in the First Nations Molecular Point-of-Care Testing Program, where she manages program data using machine learning. She has also worked on AI-driven geospatial mapping for malaria surveillance. Akriti is a Fellow at the Good Data Institute, focusing on data-driven solutions for various not-for-profits organisation. |
| Dr Kirsty Smith Kirsty Smith has been a senior research officer at the Kirby Institute since 2010. Her current work focuses on the implementation, evaluation and scale-up of molecular point-of-care testing programs in remote and regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia. She has worked with Aboriginal communities for almost three decades. |
| Chair: Associate Professor Tanya Applegate Tanya Applegate is a laboratory research scientist with over 20 years working experience in regulatory, hospital, industry and academic environments. Her PhD specialised in the development of novel molecular diagnostics and her implementation research aims to provide equitable access for marginalised people and those living in remote or resource-limited settings. |
| Chair: Ms Jessica Michaels Jessica Michaels has worked in the bloodborne virus and sexual health sector for over 15 years, managing a variety of government and non-government education, clinical and health promotion programs in Australia, South Africa, the UK, Papua New Guinea and Singapore. Jessica’s work at ASHM includes overseeing the implementation of HIV, sexual health, hepatitis C and hepatitis B workforce development, capacity building, resources, strategies and policies across Australia. |
Opinions expressed by individuals at this event are solely of those of the individual/s and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Kirby Institute or UNSW.