Leading paediatric infectious diseases specialist Professor David Burgner joins SCS

Leading paediatric infectious diseases specialist Professor David Burgner joined the Department of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health as Adjunct Professor earlier this month.

A highly regarded clinician-scientist, David completed his PhD on host genetics and severe malaria at the University of Oxford and in The Gambia, West Africa in paediatric infectious diseases (PID). 

Further to his medical training in the UK and Australia, David’s post-graduate training was at Great Ormond Street Hospital and St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College, London. 

David has a long-standing interest and solid track record in understanding susceptibility and outcomes in neonatal and paediatric infection and inflammation, particularly in relation to early cardiovascular risk. He is particularly interested in why some preterm infants develop severe infection and what factors might influence this risk and improve treatment. He is also interested in how early life inflammation and infection might affect the very early development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk.

The ultimate goal of David’s research is to improve identification of preterm infants at greatest risk of severe infection and inflammation and develop strategies and treatments to improve short- and long-term outcomes. 

Prior to joining SCS, David was the clinical lead for paediatric infectious diseases and refugee child health, Child and Adolescent Health Services, Western Australia and Associate Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Western Australia from 2002-2010.

After moving to Melbourne in 2010, David was appointed Professorial Fellow, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne in 2012 and until recently was at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and Monash Children's Hospital, Monash Health.

Professor Burgner is Group Leader, NHMRC Senior Research Fellow and NHFA Future Leader Fellow at Australia’s largest paediatric research institute. He is the author of nine book chapters, 113 publications and his “h” index is currently 24.

David joins SCS with 24 years’ clinical and 12 years’ post-doctoral experience.

Find out more about his work with the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and The University of Melbourne, and read his latest articles via The Conversation.