Strep A Translation

The Strep A Translation team focuses on understanding disease burden and how to put evidence into action to make a difference.

Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) research at The Kids is built around a focus on Indigenous leadership and collaboration, privileging the voices of those with lived experience of these diseases. Our Team provides the critical support to this approach.

The research and outputs of the Strep A Translation team have national and global focus, including:

• Comprehensively documenting the burden and economic impacts of Strep A and RHD disease, and modelling the benefits of potential control strategies
• Developing partnerships to translate evidence into tangible approaches to disease control, with a focus on policy, practice and community ownership
• Fostering new research approaches including providing evidence around primordial prevention, particularly environmental health
• Working with other research teams at The Kids to accelerate translation of evidence into impact, including developing a Strep A vaccine, a diagnostic test for rheumatic fever, and new strategies and formulations of penicillin to prevent RHD

This map showcases our global partnerships, linking Australia with collaborators around the world who are working together to eliminate Strep A infections, and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD). Each connection represents a shared commitment to community-led research, cultural respect, and meaningful action.

From locally driven programs to international research collaborations, these connections highlight our collective commitment to equity in health and ending RHD worldwide.

Collaborators

• Associate Professor Hannah Moore
• Dr Belaynew Taye
• Quang Nguyen
• Melissa Penny
• Timo Lassmann
• David Martino
• Dr Tim Barnett

All of the above are currently working on projects that sit within our team, and we support with funding.

Honoraries

• Dr Sophie La Vincente
• Dr Judith Katzenellenbogen
• Sophie Wiegele
• Professor Liesl Zühlke
• Pat Turner