Derek Sarovich

Dr Derek Sarovich is a Senior Research Fellow at the Advance Queensland Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. Joining in mid-2017, he specializes in molecular microbiology and bioinformatics with focus on high-morbidity antibiotic-resistant infections.

Education:

• PhD, Queensland
• Graduate Certificate in Research Communication, Queensland
• Bachelor of Science (Honours), Queensland

His research bridges clinical microbiology and genomics to combat antibiotic resistance through next-generation sequencing. Key interests include bacterial pathogenesis mechanisms, molecular epidemiology of resistant pathogens, and genomic diagnostics for infections like melioidosis and Staphylococcus aureus. He pioneers translational applications where genomic data directly informs clinical treatment protocols.

Scientific Awards:

• Fellow of the Australian Society for Microbiology (FASM), 2018
• Charles Darwin University Vice Chancellor’s Award for Exceptional Performance in Research, 2016
• NHMRC Research Excellent Award, 2013

Derek leads multiple nationally funded projects advancing genomic diagnostics:

• Metagenomics for COPD lung infection diagnosis (Wishlist - Sunshine Coast HHS)
• Darwin Perspective Melioidosis Study Years 27-31 (NHMRC)
• Rapid diagnostics for resistant infections (QIMR Berghofer & Waste to Biofutures Fund)
• Staphylococcus aureus host diversity sequencing (Pathology Queensland)

He directs the Pathogen-Omics Lab, collaborating with Sunshine Coast Health Institute clinicians to implement genomic technologies at the patient bedside, with ongoing work focused on making sequencing cost-effective for routine hospital use.