Johanna Fraser

Johanna Fraser is a Research Fellow in the Department of Microbiology at Monash University's Biomedicine Discovery Institute, co-located with the World Mosquito Program (WMP). Her work focuses on developing biocontrol strategies against mosquito-borne viruses, particularly leveraging the Wolbachia bacterium to reduce dengue transmission. She leads an NHMRC- and ARC-funded program investigating Wolbachia's antiviral mechanisms in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, combining molecular techniques like transcriptomics and proteomics to understand virus-host interactions.

Key projects include defining Wolbachia's antiviral effects, studying dengue resistance mechanisms, and enhancing Wolbachia deployment scalability. Her research has contributed to WMP's global efforts, with field trials showing 77% dengue reduction in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Fraser has secured >$3M in grants and holds patents for antiviral methods. She collaborates internationally on virology and vector control, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and sustainable cities.

Recent publications highlight Wolbachia's cellular impacts (e.g., ER membrane interactions), field deployment logistics, and antiviral drug discovery. Her team's work bridges basic science and public health, aiming to optimize Wolbachia as a long-term intervention while exploring its applicability to other vector species.