91É«ÇéƬ

Professor William Rawlinson AM | Director of the VRL

MBBS BSc(Med) PhD(Cantab) FRACP FRCPA FF

Professor William Rawlinson AMÌýis a senior medical virologist and clinician-scientist whose work advances understanding and management of viral disease.ÌýHe brings decades of experience in viral pathogenesis, molecular virology, clinicalÌýdiagnosticsÌýand infectious disease research to 91É«ÇéƬ’s VRL.

In addition toÌýtheÌýVRL, Prof.ÌýRawlinson is the director of:

• AreaÌýSerology and Virology Division (SAViD), Prince of Wales Hospital, RandwickÌý
• Virology Clinical TrialsÌýUnit, Prince of Wales Hospital, RandwickÌý
  
• Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)-licensed Organ and Tissue Donation (OTDs)ÌýServiceÌýLaboratory, Prince of Wales Hospital, RandwickÌý

A major focus of Prof.ÌýRawlinson’s work has beenÌýonÌýcongenital and perinatal viral infections, particularly cytomegalovirus (CMV). Through his research, an improved understanding of viral transmission during pregnancy, mechanisms ofÌýfetalÌýinfection,Ìýand the clinical and epidemiological impact of CMV on newborns has beenÌýgained.ÌýIn turn, this has helpedÌýinform diagnostic strategies and long-term management of CMV infection.

Prof.ÌýRawlinson has also played a leading role in respiratory virus research and outbreak response, applyingÌýviralÌýgenomics, molecular and serological methodsÌýto study influenza,ÌýRSVÌýand emerging viruses. This work bridges laboratory science and real-world clinical application, supporting more effective surveillance and public health decision-making.

Through the VRL, Prof.ÌýRawlinson continues to lead translational virology research with direct relevance and impact to patient care and public health.ÌýHe is committed toÌýsupervisingÌýand mentoring students across medicine and science –Ìýmany students whoÌýhaveÌýundertakenÌýresearch projects withÌýProf. RawlinsonÌýhave gone on to successful careers in medicine, research, diagnostic laboratories, publicÌýhealthÌýand industry environments.ÌýÌý

Prof. Rawlinson has been awarded:

• Order of Australia (AM) in recognition of his services to medical sciences
• Royal College of Pathologists Australasia Travelling Professorship (2007)
• Menzies Memorial Scholarship in Medicine (1990)
  
• Fenner Prize (2005)

Professor Maria Craig | Clinician Researcher

MB BSÌýMelb,ÌýMMedSc(ClinEpid) Newcastle, PhD Syd, FRACP

Professor Maria Craig is a paediatric endocrinologist with the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network (SCHN) and a clinician-researcher whose primary focus is childhood diabetes.ÌýAs an internationally recognised leader in diabetes research,ÌýProf. Craig’sÌýwork integrates large longitudinal cohort studies, clinicalÌýtrialsÌýand translational research to better understand how early-life viral exposures and immune responses contribute to autoimmunity and disease progression.Ìý

InÌýcollaborationÌýwith the VRL, Prof.ÌýCraig leads the viral theme for the multicentre, nationwide Environmental Determinates of Islet Autoimmunity (ENDIA) Study. Other areas of interest include the epidemiology of childhood diabetes (type 1, type 2, cystic fibrosis-relatedÌýdiabetesÌýand monogenic diabetes) andÌýitsÌýassociated complications. She has supervised several successful honours and PhD studentsÌýand valuesÌýproviding opportunities for the next generation of researchers,ÌýscientistsÌýand clinicians.

Dr Charles Foster | Postdoctoral Researcher (Bioinformatics)

BSc (Adv) (Hons I, University Medal), PhD (Evolutionary Biology)

Dr Charles Foster is a senior lecturer and bioinformatician. At 91É«ÇéƬ's VRL, he leads the development and implementation of genomics and analysis pipelines for viral surveillance. WithÌýa strong foundationÌýin evolutionary genomics, particularly acrossÌýphylogenomics, metagenomics andÌýtranscriptomics,ÌýheÌýplaysÌýa central roleÌýin shaping howÌýourÌýlab interprets and uses large-scale viral sequencing data to better understand pathogen evolutions and transmission dynamics.Ìý

Dr Foster’sÌýwork at the VRL focuses on genomic epidemiology and high-throughput analysis and surveillance of viral pathogens, in particular the classification and genomic diversity of parainfluenza viruses.ÌýHe has been instrumental in building robust analytical frameworks and pipelines that support real-time sequencing, such as genomic surveillance for the SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) pandemic, HIV and HCV Australia-wide sequencing for the H2Seq Study. HeÌýalsoÌýcontributesÌýto research on CMV and antiviral resistance through computational approaches.ÌýDr Foster’sÌýwork is vital in linking genomic insights with clinical and laboratory data.Ìý

Dr FosterÌýsupports students and early-career researchers in developing bioinformatic skills and genomic workflows. His collaborative approach makes him a key bridge between computational biology and virology withinÌýourÌýlab.

Dr Gregory Walker | Postdoctoral Researcher (Virologist)

PhD (Virology), 2022, University of New South WalesÌý
B Biomedical Science (Hons), 2015, University of Newcastle

Dr Gregory Walker is a virologist and lecturer based at the VRL, where he applies molecular and serological methods for the detection and characterisation of viruses of clinical significance.Ìý

Dr Walker’s research contributes to the understanding of key respiratory pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, IFV and RSV,ÌýandÌýhow they spread, how theyÌýevolve in the community, and how host immune responses can be measured and interpreted to improve clinical and public health outcomes.

He is also an Associate Investigator within the Environmental Determinants of Islet Autoimmunity (ENDIA) Study, which is run nationwide, including at the VRL.ÌýThis study follows 1500 mother-infant pairsÌýfrom across AustraliaÌýin whichÌýthe infantÌýhasÌýaÌýfirst-degree relative with type 1 diabetes.ÌýThis work falls within theÌýVirology Theme ofÌýENDIA, inÌýwhichÌýDr WalkerÌýinvestigatesÌýthe association between early-life viral infections and the development of autoimmune disease.

Dr Walker is committed to student supervisionÌýat the VRL, having guidedÌýseveralÌýsuccessfulÌýhonours and PhD candidates.

Dr Alice Michie | Postdoctoral Scientist

B Science, University of Western Australia, 2014
M Inf Dis 2016 (Distinction), University of Western Australia, 2016Ìý
PhD, University of Western Australia, 2021Ìý

Ìý

At the VRL, Alice Michie hasÌýestablishedÌýaÌýwastewater-based genomic surveillance protocol for SARS-CoV-2ÌýfromÌýsentinel sites across New South Wales.ÌýRegular reporting of lineage fluctuations is given to the NSW Ministry of Health.Ìý

She has recently joined the Ìýas part of the Medical Research Future Fund-funded H2Seq project. This project aims to develop hepatitis C and HIV whole genome sequencing protocols to expand access and sharing of genomic data for cluster identification.ÌýÌý

Her doctoral researchÌýat University of Western AustraliaÌý(2021)Ìýfocused on the genomic and phylogenetic characterisation of key Australian mosquito-borne virusesÌýin a landscape of limited genomic data availability.ÌýOngoingÌýresearch interests include wastewater-based epidemiology, arthropod-borne viruses,Ìý, viral genomics and metagenomic approaches.Ìý

Dr MichieÌýsupports students in gaining hands-on experienceÌýatÌýthe VRL, andÌýsheÌýhas successfully provided supervision for honours,Ìýmaster’sÌýand PhD students.ÌýÌý

Malinna Yeang | Research Scientist

B Biotech (Hons)

MalinnaÌýYeangÌýis a research scientist working at the intersection of molecular biology,ÌývirologyÌýand genomics. She is passionate about understanding how viruses evolve and spread, and about using genomic tools to strengthen public health responses. Her research focuses on developing and applying molecular assays – such as Reverse Transcription-Polymerase ChainÌýReaction (RT-PCR), multiplexÌýPCRÌýand next-generation sequencing – to detect, type and track respiratory and other emerging viruses.

MalinnaÌýenjoys transforming complex genomic data into insights that inform outbreak investigations and improve disease surveillance. She has contributed to projects enhancing Australia’s capability toÌýmonitorÌýinfections like SARS-CoV-2 and enteroviruses, combining laboratory experimentation,ÌýbioinformaticsÌýand collaborative research.

As part of the TGA-licensed, 2023 NSW Premier’s Award-winning Nucleic Testing Laboratory at NSW Health Pathology in Randwick,ÌýMalinnaÌýsupports high-quality molecular testing that underpins critical clinical services across NSW. In her on-call role, she performs rapid testing for blood-borne viruses in solid organ and tissue donation. This ensures transplant safety and protects both donors and recipients.

Driven by curiosity and collaboration,ÌýMalinnaÌýis committed to bridging the gap between diagnostic science and real-world public health applications. She applies herÌýexpertiseÌýto improve patient outcomes and uphold the highest standards of diagnostic excellence.

Laura Vitellaro | Laboratory Coordinator

BMedScÌý(Genomics and Precision Medicine)

Laura Vitellaro's experience spans both clinical trials and laboratory-based research. Her work focuses on coordinating research activities, the management of laboratory operations and workflows, and supporting scientists and clinicians to deliver high-quality, ethically sound research.

Her master's research project focused on pathogen genomics and bioinformatic workflows, aligning closely with her interests in virology and translational research.

Having worked extensively across hospital and university research environments, Laura values collaboration and takes pride in fostering a supportive, well-organised laboratory culture. She enjoys being part of multidisciplinary teams that work together to produce impactful research and improve health outcomes.

Currently completing:ÌýBMed/BSc (MBBS) at 91É«ÇéƬ

Project:ÌýGenomic surveillance of respiratory syncytial virus from paediatric clinical cases in Sydney, Australia, during 2024

As a fourth-year medicine student at the University of NSW, Julia undertook her honours project with the VRL in 2025. The theme of her project was conducting genomic surveillance of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and scanning for instances of potential therapeutic resistance. Her focus was on RSVÌýcirculatingÌýin infants during the first winter sinceÌýtheÌýapproval and uptake of the recently developed monoclonal antibodyÌý(nirsevimab) andÌýmaternal vaccine (abrysvo).

Publications:

Manuscript currently in press. Stay tuned.

Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology (Scientia PhD)ÌýÌý

Project:ÌýInfluenzaÌýdynamics fromÌýpre-pandemic toÌýpost-pandemicÌýperiods: Epidemiology andÌýgeneticÌýcharacteristics

Emma joined the VRL on a 91É«ÇéƬ Scientia PhD Scholarship in 2021. Her thesis investigated the changing epidemiology and phylogeny of influenza throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, which,Ìýlike many other viruses, wasÌýgreatly impactedÌýby pandemic-related public health measures and travel restrictions.

Publications:

The resurgence of influenza A/H3N2 virus in Australia after the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions during the 2022 season,ÌýThe Journal of Medical VirologyÌý[Link:ÌýÌý

Genome characterization of influenza A and B viruses in New South Wales, Australia, in 2019: A retrospective study using high-throughput whole genome sequencing,ÌýInfluenza and Other Respiratory VirusesÌýjournalÌý[Link:Ìý

BÌýMedScÌý(Human Pathology)
BSc (Honors) Microbiome Research
Currently completing:ÌýThird-year PhDÌý

Project:ÌýChildhood viral infections associated with the development of islet autoimmunity

Hajra's project is immersed in the nationwide Environmental Determinants of Islet Autoimmunity (ENDIA) study. She isÌýobservingÌýthe association between viral infections during pregnancyÌýandÌýchildhoodÌýandÌýthe development of islet autoimmunityÌýlongitudinallyÌýthroughÌýaÌýpan-viral serological method.ÌýÌý

Explore Hajra’s work: