Paul Horwood

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 Anna Fomsgaard

PhD student: Izzard Aglua

PhD student:  Robyn Pearce

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: Juciliane Haidamak

PhD student: Donald Tahani (Federation University)

Masters student: Joelyn Goi

Former students:

Estefania Erazo Mera (PhD), Casey Toft (PhD), 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)

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