Monash Infectious diseases research recognised at national conference

Dr Carly Hughes

Dr Carly Hughes has been recognised for her outstanding research, winning best oral presentation in theme B (Trials, Treatment and Toxicity) at the Australasian HIV&AIDS conference in Canberra last month.

An Infectious Disease and Microbiology registrar at Monash Health, Dr Carly Hughes’ research aims to improve support and education for youth attending HIV services.

“My project compared adolescents and young adults living with HIV in Australia to older adults and found they had higher CD4 counts and lower viral loads at diagnosis, and were more likely to be lost to follow up and interrupt treatment,” Dr Hughes said. 

Dr Hughes said she appreciated receiving the prize, as she had prepared the majority of the paper and presentation while on maternity leave after having a baby in July.

“Professionally, it is an honour to receive a prize at a national and well respected conference in the HIV field,” Dr Hughes said. 

Dr Hughes acknowledges the ongoing support of Head of Infectious Diseases Professor Tony Korman, her supervisor Associate Professor Ian Woolley and her co-authors Samar Ojaimi, Rainer Puhr, Kathy Petoumenos, Adam Bartlett, David Templeton, Catherine O'Connor and Manoji Gunathilake. She also thanks the participants of AHOD whose data was used for the study.