About

Emma McBryde is an infectious diseases physician who did her PhD in mathematics; specifically Mathematical and Statistical modelling of disease transmission in hospitals. Since then, she has moved into modelling infectious diseases of global significance, including influenza, SARS and tuberculosis. Emma has led consultancies for AusAID, DFAT, the Commonwealth Department of Health and participated in Gates funded work on modelling to guide policy in tuberculosis. She is developing work on allocative efficiency for tuberculosis program development in partnership with the Global Fund and the World Bank. 

Emma moved to Townsville from Melbourne, leaving the position of Head of Epidemiology at the Victorian Infectious Diseases Service. She continues to collaborate with many researchers in Melbourne across University of Melbourne and the Burnet Institute, but is looking forward to new collaborations in the Tropics; across James Cook University and further afield with regional partners. 

Emma has published over 80 peer reviewed publications on epidemiology and modelling; has supervised 4 PhD students (1 to completion and 3 to submission status) and is currently supervising 3 additional PhD students. She has numerous grants from both ARC and NHMRC, including a current centre for research excellence (NHMRC-CRE) in modelling infectious diseases to inform public health policy. Emma is actively collaborating across James Cook University with research areas of health systems, basic science (microbiology and immunology), health economics, genomics and across Australia in epidemiology and modelling and specifically in tuberculosis research. She is an elected official of the Australasian Tuberculosis Forum and an affiliate of the CRE in TB research.

Teaching
  • MD3012: Introduction to Clinical Healthcare Part 2 of 2 (Level 3; TSV)
Research Disciplines
Socio-Economic Objectives
Publications

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
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ResearchOnline@JCU stores 195+ research outputs authored by Prof Emma McBryde from 2002 onwards.

Current Funding

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

National Health & Medical Research Council - Investigator Grants

Finally new tools are available to combat drug resistant tuberculosis, but how do we make them work? Models to determine effective implementation strategies in Australia and our region

Indicative Funding
$1,601,547 over 5 years
Summary
Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) is a growing concern which may make TB elimination impossible if not addressed head-on. Strategies to control MDR are available or in trial including: ? MDR diagnostics ? MDR directed treatment ? New vaccines However, the best way to operationalise these new tools in different settings to maximise impact remains uncertain. Mathematical modelling, data analysis and health economics can play a role in assisting the fight to eliminate TB by providing insights into best deployment of TB strategies depending on the setting. My work is to combine best evidence with country context (health system,TB burden and costs, to simulate TB epidemiology and test possible interventions and their impact "in silico". This project will undertake 3 streams of activity Stream 1 Control of MDR TB in high burden settings: I will develop models to assess how new tools can best be used to impact on the MDR TB epidemic in high incidence regions. This will consider the new short course regimens for active MDR TB and the value of levofloxacin to treat latent TB, as well as emerging therapeutics and vaccines. Stream 2. Optimal drug combinations for MDR treatment: I will develop pharmacokinetic / pharmacodynamic models to investigate whether low, high or adaptive dosing of levofloxacin leads to the best outcome in treating MDR TB. Stream 3. How can new tools for MDR best be deployed in Australia? This work will address the large pool of latently infected people in Australia, and large proportion of TB arising from immigration, including those with latent MDR TB. Through two Centres for Research Excellence, I will collaborate with Australia's leading tuberculosis clinical trialists, policy makers, health systems experts, clinicians and pharmacologists to analyse the data arising from recent and current clinical trials, particularly relating to the use of drugs to tackle MDR TB.
Investigators
Emma McBryde (Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine)
Keywords
Tuberculosis; Modelling; Statistic; Applied Mathematics; Simulation; Public Health

National Health & Medical Research Council - Centres of Research Excellence

Supporting Participatory Evidence generation to Control Transmissible diseases in our Region Using Modelling (SPECTRUM)

Indicative Funding
$268,793 over 6 years (administered by University of Melbourne)
Summary
SPECTRUM is a centre for research excellence in decision science and includes chief investigators from the University of Melbourne, Australian National University and University of Adelaide. It focusses on data synthesis for policy decision making, particularly in relation to pandemic planning, emerging infectious diseases and other infectious dieases threats.
Investigators
Jodie McVernon, Iadine Chades, Emma McBryde, ross andrews and Joshua Ross (The University of Melbourne, Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation, Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine, Australian National University and University of Adelaide)
Keywords
Decision Science; Mathematical Modelling

National Health & Medical Research Council - Centres of Research Excellence

Centre of Research Excellence in Tuberculosis Control on both sides of our border.

Indicative Funding
$198,529 over 5 years (administered by University of Sydney)
Summary
This is a capacity building project on tuberculosis research including clinical trials, genomics, immunology and modelling for policy decision support. It involves researchers at USyd, U Melb, Monash and JCU. My role is in mathematical modelling of tuberculosis and this work will provide a network of tuberculosis researchers with which to collaborate.
Investigators
Warwick Britton, Barend (Ben) Marais, Gregory Fox, Vitali Sintchenko, James Triccas, Guy Marks, Stephen Graham, Emma McBryde, Bernadette Saunders and Justin Denholm (University of Sydney, The University of New South Wales, The University of Melbourne, Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine, University of Technology, Sydney and Melbourne Health)
Keywords
Tuberculosis; Public health policy; Epidemiology; Mathematical modelling; Biiostatistics

National Health & Medical Research Council - TB CRE Seed Funding

Geospatial analysis and modelling support.

Indicative Funding
$15,000 over 1 year
Summary
One of the major inequities in delivery of health services and of health outcomes occurs at a subnational level with more remote parts of countries suffering poorer health outcomes and lower levels of services. For many diseases, including TB, this is made more difficult to assess owing to poor surveillance infrastructure in remote communities. Hence there are an estimated 3 million missing cases of tuberculosis each year. This can be addressed by geospatial analysis and modelling to identify hidden hotspots and areas of need. Increasingly, more unified and complete data collection systems are in place (DHIS2) allowing geospatial analysis of data sources for facility-based and community-based activities. Understanding the health systems along which these operate; such as referral pathways, and patient/medication/service transport networks allows for simulation of new programs.
Investigators
Emma McBryde, James Trauer, Barend (Ben) Marais and Jamie Sziklay (Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine, Monash University, University of Sydney and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies)
Keywords
Tuberculosis; Geospatial analysis; Health systems; Modelling

Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre Limited - Contract Research

Can portable genome sequencing provide a rapid, comprehensive, point-of-care diagnostic test for Far North Queensland hospitals and healthcare centres?

Indicative Funding
$49,987 over 2 years
Summary
Respiratory disease, fevers, and sepsis are common in FNQ and treatment often requires admission to hospital. These infections have many different causes, and diagnosing them requires multiple tests that take weeks to perform. Consequently, patients are treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics before a pathogen is identified, leading to poorer outcomes for the patient and contributing to the spread of antibiotic-resistant infections. We will trial new genome sequencing technology as a point-of-care diagnostic test for fever, sepsis, and pneumonia at Cairns Hospital, and test the hypothesis that this approach will increase the proportion of infections that are diagnosed and reduce the time-to-diagnosis.
Investigators
John McBride, Cadhla Firth, Simon Smith, Joshua Hanson, Matt Field, Emma McBryde, John Miles, Damon Eisen and Chris Heather (College of Medicine & Dentistry, Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine and Queensland Health)
Keywords
Genomics; Healthcare; pathogens

National Health & Medical Research Council - Partnership Projects

Implementation of quality improvement in Indigenous primary health care: Leveraging Effective Ambulatory Practices (LEAP)

Indicative Funding
$1,144,570 over 4 years, in partnership with North Queensland Primary Health Network ($315,000); Northern Territory Department of Health, Top End Health ($20,000); Northern Territory Primary Health Network (NTPHN) ($38,700) and Western Queensland Primary Care Collaborative Limited ($210,000)
Summary
Despite increased policy attention and funding, not all primary healthcare (PHC) services for Indigenous Australians show the desired improvements in quality of care. Practices which provide PHC services are complex systems and emerging evidence indicates many things affect quality improvement. There remains a knowledge gap regarding what is required for Indigenous PHCs to succeed in improving the quality of their services and, subsequently, health outcomes for their patients. This project will capitalise on emerging research and existing strong partnerships to provide a solid evidence base for interventions to improve quality of priority health services in Indigenous PHC settings.
Investigators
Sarah Larkins, Ross Baille, Catrina Felton-Busch, Paul Burgess, Emma McBryde, Kerry Copley, Rebecca Evans, V Matthews and Karen Carlisle in collaboration with Judy Taylor, Karla Canuto, Donald Whaleboat, S Thompson, Christine Connors and Roderick Wright (College of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Sydney, JCU Murtupuni Centre for Rural & Remote Health, Department of Health (NT), Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine, Aboriginal Medical Service, Apunipima Cape York Health Council, The University of Western Australia and Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council)
Keywords
Learning community; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander; Primary Health Care; Quality Improvement

Townsville Hospital and Health Service - Study Education Research Trust Account (SERTA)

Linkage of Queensland Health databases for description and research of infectious diseases affecting Queenslanders

Indicative Funding
$21,050 over 4 years
Summary
It is possible to examine health data using stored information from Queensland Health databases. A standardised process of data-linkage is followed after approval of release of patient information under the Public Health Act. The resulting information is anonymised. Datasets containing de-identified information on patients admitted to hospital with sever infections would allow for the types of retrospective cohort studies needed to understand the reasons people have these infections and how they should be treated. Using information linked under the structure described in the Queensland Data Linkage Framework will allow us to perform observational analysis with large amounts of patient data.
Investigators
Damon Eisen and Emma McBryde in collaboration with Subashini Srirengam and Luke Vasanthakumar (College of Medicine & Dentistry, Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine and Townsville Hospital and Health Services)
Keywords
Infectious Diseases; inpatient; cohort; retrospective; Database; administrative data-linkage

The Global Fund - Contract Research

Allocative efficiency modelling to support National TB programs

Indicative Funding
$191,260 over 4 years
Summary
Tuberculosis (TB) has now been unequivocally identified as the world's leading infectious killer, with global control failing to make significant inroads into the huge burden of disease. TB in Australia is driven by this huge global burden, with around 60% of all TB cases occurring in our region and nearly 90% of Australia's cases occurring in the overseas born. Our group has an established track record of undertaking country-level simulations to better understand TB epidemiology and predict the effectiveness of programmatic interventions in the local context. These applications are linked to a program of theoretical and epidemiological research to improve understanding of TB transmission and strengthen model underpinnings. Recently, we have been working to develop our model into a flexible and robust platform by using principles of software engineering, including object-oriented and modular programming. This approach allows rapid adaptation of our tool ("AuTuMN") to new objectives without the need to modify many of the constituent modules. In this project, we will extend the AuTuMN structures to undertake country implementations in up to six additional countries, funded by The Global Fund Against AIDS, Malaria and tuberculosis (TGF). These countries are: Myanmar Timor L'este The Kingdom of Bhutan Cambodia The Philippines Sri Lanka This RFAF is an indicative budget, as airfares and other direct costs will only be paid upon submission of receipts. Additionally, TGF produces contracts in US dollar amounts so amounts below are subject to change. Which of the above countries elect to undertake this work has not yet been determineJCU will administer the grant but University of Melbourne and Monash University will send invoices for work undertaken as part of this grant.
Investigators
Emma McBryde, R Ragonnet, Nhut Tan Doan, James Trauer and Stephanie Topp in collaboration with Ross McLeod, Damon Eisen, Jennifer Ho, Tanya Diefenbach-Elstob, Kathryn Snow and Bosco Ho (Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Monash University, College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences, College of Medicine & Dentistry and Queensland Health)
Keywords
Tuberculosis; mathematical modelling; international health; disease simulation

World Diabetes Foundation - Research Grant

Increased awareness of and access to diabetes and tuberculosis care in New Ireland Province of Papua New Guinea

Indicative Funding
$307,331 over 5 years
Summary
The 3-year project is intended to (1) raise awareness of Diabetes and TB among the general populationin New Ireland Province (2) Train doctors, nurses, pharmacists and community health workers to effectively treat Diabetes and TB (3) Establish better monitoring of Diabetes and TB in remote areas with the help of electronic registry and mobile phone technology (4) conduct public health campaigns by the local health professionals and to screen and monitor the diseases with the help of mobile phone technology.
Investigators
Usman Malabu, Emma McBryde, Venkat Vangaveti, Matthew McLee and Frank Apamumu (Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine, College of Medicine & Dentistry and Kavieng General Hospital)

Department of Health and Ageing - Education and Research Grant

Modelling future testing needs for SARS-CoV-2

Indicative Funding
$42,770 (administered by University of Melbourne)
Summary
The Project will enable greater understanding of the current and projected future testing demand for severe acute respiratory acute syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) in Australia. The scope of this project is limited to assessing the demand for laboratory based, or near patient point-of-care, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, the gold standard test to diagnose COVID-19.
Investigators
Jodie McVernon, James McCaw, Emma McBryde, Michael Meehan and Adeshina Adekunle (The University of Melbourne and Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine)
Keywords
COVID-19; Modelling; SARS-CoV-2; Coronavirus

Queensland Health - Queensland Genomics Health Alliance Project Fund

Pathogen Genomics North Queensland

Indicative Funding
$180,000 over 1 year (administered by University of Queensland)
Summary
This project will develop pathogen genomics to improve time to best treatment of serious infectious diseases. We aim to incorporate pathogen genomics into the workflow of clinical microbiology units in regional Queensland Health Hospitals for investigation of potential or known infectious disease.
Investigators
Emma McBryde and Damon Eisen in collaboration with John McBride, Matt Field, Luke Lawton, Geoff Gordon and Richard Stone (Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine, College of Medicine & Dentistry and Townsville Hospital and Health Services)
Keywords
Genomics; Sequencing; Infectious Disease; Microbiology

QLD Department of Environment and Science - Advance Queensland Research Fellowship

Combating antibiotic-resistant infections using a health system approach

Indicative Funding
$300,000 over 3 years
Summary
The march of antibiotic resistance across the globe is leading to what many are calling the ?post-antibiotic era?. This puts a massive, preventable burden both on patients and Queensland?s health system, costing millions of dollars each year. North Queensland is geographically vulnerable to emerging infectious diseases, located at the tropical Indo- Pacific gateway, with the highest rates of resistant tuberculosis, and incursions of dengue virus, for example. This project will generate an evidence base for cost and risks of infectious diseases in North Queensland; by linking several health system datasets, to synthesise prospective and retrospective cohorts. Professorial and Infectious Diseases Units at TTH are co-investigators of the project investing personnel to perform the research. Further, TTH infection control and executive policy-makers are the target end-user for translation of the research.
Investigators
Emma McBryde (Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine)
Keywords
Antibiotic resistance; Health systems; Decision support; Health economics; Mathematical models; Operations research
Supervision

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
  • Epidemiological profile of tuberculosis patients from the Torres Strait Islands, including Treaty visitors from Papua New Guinea to the Torres Strait Protected Zone (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
  • Modeling the potential of introducing different Wolbachia?infected mosquitoes to control Aedes-borne arboviral infections (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
  • Environmental and socio-demographic predictors of Bacteraemia in North Queensland (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
  • Climate change and its impact on the re-emergence of vector-borne diseases in Mauritius (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
  • Genomic Modelling of Infectious Diseases in Commercial Aquaculture Settings (PhD , Advisor Mentor)
Completed
Collaboration

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.

  • 5+ collaborations
  • 4 collaborations
  • 3 collaborations
  • 2 collaborations
  • 1 collaboration
  • Indicates the Tropics (Torrid Zone)

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