Kirsty Short

Professor Kirsty Short holds the NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellow position at the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland. She is affiliated with the Centre for Cardiovascular Health and Research and the Centre for Extracellular Vesicle Nanomedicine within the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences. Her research focuses on viral pathogenesis, immune responses to respiratory viruses, and the interplay between metabolic conditions (e.g., diabetes) and infectious diseases. She is actively involved in supervising PhD students and has secured significant funding for projects addressing pandemic preparedness, antiviral strategies, and post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2.

Dr. Short’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Science (Honours), and a PhD, all from the University of Melbourne. Her work spans virology, immunology, and molecular biology, with a particular emphasis on influenza and coronaviruses. She investigates how metabolic disorders influence viral disease severity and immune responses, contributing to translational research aimed at mitigating pandemic threats.

Her research highlights include studies on glycemic variability’s impact on cardiovascular outcomes in diabetes, the role of vagal sensory neurons in influenza pathogenesis, and the development of antiviral polymers. She collaborates widely, leveraging interdisciplinary approaches to address global health challenges.