Belinda de Villiers

Belinda de Villiers is a Research Fellow and Molecular Virologist at Griffith University's Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics. Her career spans roles including Associate Research Leader (2024–present) and prior membership in the Institute for Glycomics (2018–2024). She holds a PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), MSc from the same institution, and BSc Honours from Rhodes University. Her research focuses on viral disease diagnostics, including rapid assays for HIV, HTLV-1, and hepatitis B, with a strong emphasis on improving healthcare in remote regions. She has pioneered virus-like-particle screening tools for SARS-CoV-2 research and developed microfluidics-based diagnostic technologies.

• Educations:
  • PhD in Molecular Virology, University of the Witwatersrand
  • MSc by Research, University of the Witwatersrand
  • BSc Honours in Virology, Rhodes University
• Research Focus: HIV transmission mechanisms, HTLV-1 diagnostics, malaria vector control, and point-of-care viral disease assays
• Grants & Awards:
  • AQIRF Fellowship ($113,985) for SARS-CoV-2 research
  • ACH2/ACH4 grants for HTLV-1 diagnostics (up to $100,000)
• Supervision: Co-supervises 3 PhD students on vaccine strategies and CRISPR-based HIV diagnostics
• Labs/Teams: Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics Research Group

Her work has advanced understanding of viral entry mechanisms (e.g., HIV glycocalyx interactions) and contributed to novel diagnostic tools like magnetized nano-glycan-traps for HIV prevention. Media highlights include breakthroughs in vaginal microbe-HIV interactions and AQIRF-funded pandemic research.