Denise Doolan

Professor Denise Doolan is an Affiliate Professor in The University of Queensland's School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and Deputy Director (Research) at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB). She previously served as Deputy Director of the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine and Director of the JCU Centre for Molecular Therapeutics. Her research focuses on molecular immunology, vaccine development, and omics-based approaches to combat infectious and chronic diseases, particularly malaria and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related malignancies. She leads cross-disciplinary programs in antigen discovery, host-pathogen immunity, and biomarker development, leveraging genome-based technologies and human disease models.

• Academic Positions: Affiliate Professor, Deputy Director (IMB), Affiliate of Centre for Superbug Solutions
• Executive Roles: President of International Society for Vaccines (2021–2023), Member of Australian Medical Research Advisory Board

Her research interests include vaccine engineering, systems immunology, and therapeutic development. Key projects involve identifying EBV protein signatures linked to Multiple Sclerosis and malaria immunity profiling using controlled human infection models. She is renowned for her work in malaria immunology and omics-based diagnostics, recognized with Fellowships from the International Society for Vaccines and Australian Society of Parasitology.

Recent publications highlight her work on EBV antibody responses in lymphomas, malaria vaccine candidates, and molecular diagnostics for vascular diseases. She actively supervises PhD students in areas like EBV-MS links and malaria systems immunology, supported by grants from NIH, MS Research Australia, and ARC.

• Scientific Awards: ISV Fellowship (2017), ASP Fellowship (2019)
• Grants: NIH-funded malaria vaccine projects, EBV-MS diagnostics (MS Research Australia)

Her lab collaborates on developing point-of-care tests and next-generation vaccines, emphasizing translational research to address global health challenges.