Suresh Mahalingam

Professor Suresh Mahalingam is a renowned viral immunologist and Professor at Griffith University's Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics. He leads research in arbovirus pathogenesis, vaccine development, and antiviral therapies. His work focuses on alphaviruses like Ross River and Chikungunya, contributing to understanding their mechanisms and developing treatments. Mahalingam holds roles such as Deputy Director of the Queensland Tropical Health Alliance and Director of the Global Virus Network Centre of Excellence in Arboviruses.

Education:

• BSc (Honours) in Biology, National University of Malaysia (1992)
• PhD in Viral Immunology, Australian National University (1999)

Research Interests: His lab explores viral-induced inflammatory diseases, with breakthroughs in identifying mechanisms of alphavirus musculoskeletal disease. Key achievements include developing Pentosan Polysulfate therapy for Ross River virus arthritis and a live-attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. He also leads vaccine development for Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika viruses through collaborations with industry partners.

Impact & Awards: Mahalingam is a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, Australian Society for Microbiology, and Royal College of Pathologists. He received NHMRC Senior Research Fellowships and ARC Future Fellowships. His work on RRV/PSS therapy was highlighted in an NHMRC Impact Case Study.

Grants & Collaborations: Over 69 funded projects, including $3.5M+ in NHMRC grants. Partnerships with companies like Indian Immunologicals and Gamma Vaccines advance clinical trials. His lab's work on mRNA vaccines and anti-inflammatory drugs bridges fundamental research with translational medicine.

Labs/Teams: Principal Research Leader at Menzies Health Institute Queensland and heads a dynamic group within the Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics, fostering interdisciplinary research on infectious diseases.