Paul Horwood
- paul.horwood@jcu.edu.au
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9622-0742
- Professor, Promotional Chair
Projects
18
Publications
128
Awards
5
Contact Details
Biography
Prof Paul Horwood is a Professor of Virology and Viral Diseases, in the College of Science and Engineering, Cairns campus.
Paul’s research is focused on emerging tropical diseases in the Asia-Pacific region, including research into understanding the molecular epidemiology of tropical diseases and improving laboratory diagnostics. As a virologist with strong skills in molecular biology, bacteriology and public health, he has led multidisciplinary teams in challenging developing country settings in Papua New Guinea and Cambodia.
Paul conducts ‘One-Health’ research on the transmission of zoonotic diseases in high-risk interfaces where humans, domestic animals and wildlife interact. He also conducts research to better understand the wildlife and environmental reservoirs of important outbreak-prone diseases.
Paul previously worked for 3 years (2013-2016) at the Institut Pasteur in Cambodia as the Deputy-Head of Virology Unit. In this role, Paul was also the Director of the WHO H5 Reference Laboratory and National Influenza Centre. Paul continues research activities in Cambodia and Laos with projects focused on the emergence and persistence of avian influenza viruses in live bird markets and investigating the emergence of zoonotic pathogens from high-risk settings such as wildlife animal markets and areas undergoing rapid land-use change.
Paul worked at the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research for 4 years (from 2010-2013) as a Principal Research Fellow. He established a successful research group, the Environmental and Emerging Diseases Unit, to investigate the epidemiology of outbreak-prone diseases. Paul’s research group investigated and described maiden outbreaks of chikungunya and cholera in Papua New Guinea. While in Papua New Guinea, Paul was Head of the WHO National Influenza Centre and also coordinated national surveillance for rotavirus.
Paul embraces cross-disciplinary research, using laboratory, clinical and social research tools to improve our understanding of important diseases in low-income settings. He has ongoing research activities in numerous tropical developing countries including Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Cambodia and Laos.
Research group
Postdoc: Dr Elisheba Malau
Postdoc: Dr Anna Fomsgaard
PhD student: Md. Eram Hosen
PhD student: Emilia Lastica-Ternura
PhD student: Zachary Callanan
PhD student: Frida Sparaciari
PhD student: Alex Adikwu
PhD student: Rebecca Vinit
PhD student: Kate Parrish
PhD student: Andrew Adamu
PhD student: Casey Toft
PhD student: Juciliane Haidamak
PhD student: Estefania Erazo Mera
PhD student: Donald Tahani (Federation University)
Masters student: Robyn Pearce
Former students:
God'spower Okoh (PhD), Elisheba Malau (PhD), Annika Suttie (PhD), Huy Sreang Heng (PharmD), Sopheak Thet (PharmD), Jill-Lea Ramassamy (MPH), Deirdre Collins (MID), Marinjho Jonduo (Hons), Grace Bande (Hons), Monalisa Kas (Hons), Valentine Siba (Hons)
Research
Research Interests
The molecular epidemiology of emerging infectious diseases
Zoonotic disease emergence
The influence of the human gut microbiota on infectious disease outcomes
Improving diagnostic methods for low income settings
Projects
Teaching
Research Advisor Accreditation
Advisor Type
Mentor