Dr Sheryl Maher,
Research field: Viral identification and diagnosis
Charles Darwin University
Dr Maher has been working to help minimise the time and cost involved in diagnosing Dengue fever, Yellow fever and related viruses by developing a rapid diagnostic test. This test will provide an initial diagnosis (with sufficient information to guide treatment) within three hours. Being able to rapidly identify what is wrong with someone enables effective control measures to be implemented. She has been using sequencing technology to provide a definitive identification of viruses, which until now have been unidentified.
As she learns more about the viruses in the Northern Territory she hopes that we will be in a better position to manage the associated risks to human and animal health.
For over 12 years she has been involved in formal and informal mentoring programs.