With interests in both laboratory based research and education, A/Prof Brenda Govan was also Head of Biomedicine until December 2017.  She is a member of the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, and the Centre for Molecular Therapeutics.

Her research interests are focussed on bacterial infections relevant to the tropics.  Primary areas of interest are in the disease Q-fever, caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii, Daintree ulcer/Buruli ulcer caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans and the emerging issue of antibiotic resistance

Q fever is usually acquired through occupational exposure of humans with animals such as cattle, goats and sheep.  The resultant infection may lead to a respiratory condition and pneumonic symptoms.  Our work looks at the changing epidemiology of Q fever and its apparent association with native wildlife.  As communities encroach further into bushland, increasing exposure to and contact with these animals will become more significant.

Daintree ulcer is a neglected tropical disease for which neither the environmental reservoir, nor the mode of transmission to humans has been identified.  Infection results in a necrotising condition of the skin and soft tissue. The disease is widespread in parts of Africa (Buruli), but interestingly northern Australia also has an endemic region around the Daintree.

Antimicrobial resistance is becoming one of the biggest threats to both human and animal health today. It can affect anyone, of any age, and in any country, and can lead to longer hospital stays, higher medical costs and death.  Our research is interested in looking at the changing trends of antibiotic resistance patterns in northern QLD, and the molecular mechanisms that underlie this emergence.

Teaching

• BM1000: Introductory Biochemistry and Microbiology (Level 1; CNS & TSV)
• MD3012: Introduction to Clinical Healthcare Part 2 of 2 (Level 3; TSV)
• MI2011: Microbial Ecology (Level 2; TSV)
• MI3021: Clinical Microbiology 1 (Level 3; TSV)
• MI3051: Clinical Microbiology 2 (Level 3; TSV)
• MI5021: Advanced Clinical Microbiology 1 (Level 5; TSV)
• MI5051: Advanced Clinical Microbiology 2 (Level 5; TSV)
• TV1102: Cell Biology and Biochemistry for Veterinary Science and Agriculture (Level 1; TSV)

Interests

Research

• Changing transmission patterns and epidemiology of Q Fever in Australia
• The role of wildlife in zoonotic diseases
• The epidemiology of Mycobacterium ulcerans (Buruli ulcer)
• The molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance

Experience

• 2014 to 2017 - Head Biomedicine, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2005 to 2013 - Senior Lecturer, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2001 to 2004 - Lecturer Microbiology, James Cook University (Townsville)
• 2000 to 2001 - Research Fellow, University of Warwick (United Kingdon)
• 1996 to 1999 - Research Fellow, University of Queensland (North QLD Clinical School)

Research Disciplines

• Clinical sciences (3202)
• Immunology (3204)
• Medical microbiology (3207)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Clinical health (2001)

Awards

• 2012 - Faculty Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning, James Cook University
• 2007 - Level 1 Post-graduate Supervisor, JCU

Memberships

• 2011 - Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities
• 2010 - Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australia
• 1994 - Australian Society of Microbiology
• 2011 to 2016 - Chair Biomedicine Teaching and Learning Committee, JCU
• 2007 to 2012 - New York Academy of Sciences
• 2005 to 2012 - Australian Society of Medical Research

Other

• 2015 to 2017 - Head Biomedicine
• 2012 to 2014 - Director of Biomedicine, JCU
• 2007 to 2014 - Head of Microbiology and Immunology, JCU

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Maisrikrod S, Currie M, Govan B, Norton R, Currie B, Ketheesan N and Mayo M (2023) Design and Development of an Internationally Applicable Educational Video to Increase Community Awareness in Regions with High Prevalence of Melioidosis and Diabetes. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 108 (3). pp. 503-506
• Morris J, Govan B, Rush C and Ketheesan N (2021) Identification of defective early immune responses to Burkholderia pseudomallei infection in a diet-induced murine model of type 2 diabetes. Microbes and Infection, 23 (4-5).
• Sathkumara H, Eaton J, Field M, Govan B, Ketheesan N and Kupz A (2021) A murine model of tuberculosis/type 2 diabetes comorbidity for investigating the microbiome, metabolome and associated immune parameters. Animal Models and Experimental Medicine, 4 (2). pp. 181-188
• Alim M, Kupz A, Sikder S, Rush C, Govan B and Ketheesan N (2020) Increased susceptibility to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in a diet-induced murine model of type 2 diabetes. Microbes and Infection, 22 (8). pp. 303-311
• Sathkumara H, Hansen K, Miranda-Hernandez S, Govan B, Rush C, Henning L, Ketheesan N and Kupz A (2020) Disparate effects of metformin on Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in diabetic and nondiabetic mice. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 65 (1).
• Sathkumara H, Muruganandah V, Cooper M, Field M, Alim M, Brosch R, Ketheesan N, Govan B, Rush C, Henning L and Kupz A (2020) Mucosal delivery of ESX-1–expressing BCG strains provides superior immunity against tuberculosis in murine type 2 diabetes. National Academy of Sciences. Proceedings, 117 (34). pp. 20848-20859
• Alim M, Sikder S, Sathkumara Mudiyanselage H, Kupz A, Rush C, Govan B and Ketheesan N (2019) Dysregulation of key cytokines may contribute to increased susceptibility of diabetic mice to Mycobacterium bovis BCG infection. Tuberculosis, 115. pp. 113-120
• Sikder S, Rush C, Govan B, Alim M and Ketheesan N (2019) Anti-streptococcal antibody and T-cell interactions with vascular endothelial cells initiate the development of rheumatic carditis. Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 107 (2). pp. 263-271
• Sikder S, Price G, Alim M, Gautam A, Simpson R, Rush C, Govan B and Ketheesan N (2019) Group A streptococcal M-protein specific antibodies and T-cells drive the pathology observed in the rat autoimmune valvulitis model. Autoimmunity, 52 (2). pp. 78-87
• Singh A, McBride J, Govan B and Pearson M (2019) Survey of local fauna from endemic areas of northern Queensland, Australia for the presence of Mycobacterium ulcerans. International Journal Of Mycobacteriology, 8 (1). pp. 48-52
• Singh A, McBride W, Govan B, Pearson M and Ritchie S (2019) A survey on Mycobacterium ulcerans in mosquitoes and march flies captured from endemic areas of northern Queensland, Australia. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 13 (2).
• Sikder S, Williams N, Sorenson A, Alim M, Vidgen M, Moreland N, Rush C, Simpson R, Govan B, Norton R, Cunningham M, McMillan D, Sriprakash K and Ketheesan N (2018) Group G streptococcus induces an autoimmune carditis mediated by interleukin 17A and interferon γ in the Lewis rat model of rheumatic heart disease. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 218 (2). pp. 324-335

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ResearchOnline@JCU stores 59+ research outputs authored by A/Prof Brenda Govan from 2004 onwards.

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Assessment of the Ecological Risk of Emerging Contaminants Released from the Cleveland Bay Purification Plant (CBPP) (PhD , Secondary Advisor)

Completed

• Characterisation of immune responses to mycobacterial infections in a murine model of type 2 diabetes (2018, PhD , Primary Advisor)
• Determination of the role of group G Streptococcus in the pathogenesis of rheumatic heart disease using a rat model (2018, PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Mechanisms driving tuberculosis susceptibility and vaccine efficacy in HIV/AIDS and type 2 diabetes (2020, PhD , Advisor Mentor)
• Investigation of potential environmental reservoirs of mycobacterium ulcerans in North Queensland (2019, Masters , Secondary Advisor)

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.