A/Prof Paul Horwood is an Associate Professor, Virology and Viral Diseases, in the College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Townsville 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.

Current grants

Principal investigator: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Ideas Grant: Understanding the establishment and persistence of community associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in resource-limited. high burden settings: How can we reduce the burden of disease? (2022-2024)

Co-investigator: Wildlife Health Australia, National Avian Influenza Wild Bird Surveillance:  Monitoring of avian influenza in samples collected from aquatic birds in North Queensland (2021-2022)

Co-investigator: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Global Grand Challenges: Determining the ‘Environmental Typhoid Mary’, and Conditions that Favour Persistence (2019-2021)

Co-investigator: Woolworths Centre for Childhood Nutrition Research: Large-scale identification of maternal biomarkers indicative of infant risk for disease susceptibility (2019-2023)

Co-investigator: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR): A one-health approach to establish surveillance strategies for Japanese encephalitis and zoonotic arboviruses in Papua New Guinea (2019-2021)

Co-investigator: Global Challenges Research Fund, UK Research and Innovation: CANARIES: Consortium of Animal market Networks to Assess Risks of emerging Infectious diseases through Enhanced Surveillance (2019-2020)

Co-investigator: COCKPI-T Grant, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company: SPECiFIC - Study of Pathobionts of Enterobacteriaceae in a Cohort Focusing on IBD-patients and Controls (2018-2020)

Associate investigator: Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Stronger Systems for Health Security: Stronger Surveillance and Systems Support for Rapid Identification and Containment of Resurgent or Resistant Vector Borne Pathogens in Papua New Guinea (2019-2021)

Principal investigator: HOT NORTH pilot project grant, Menzies School of Health Research: Genomics for Undiagnosed Infectious Disease Evaluation and Diagnosis in Northern Australia (2017-2019)

Co-investigator: FNQ Hospitals Foundation: Influence of maternal pathogen infections in the composition of the infant gut microbiome and immune health (2018-2019)

Co-investigator: Vedanta Biosciences: The Gut Microbiota of Children in Papua New Guinea and Susceptibility to Gastrointestinal Infections (2017-2019)

Research group

Postdoc: Dr Elisheba Malau

PhD student: Kate Parrish

PhD student: God'spower Okoh

PhD student: Andrew Adamu

PhD student: Casey Toft

PhD student: Juciliane Haidamak

PhD student: Estefania Erazo Mera

PhD student: Donald Tahani (Federation University)

Former students:

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)

Teaching

• MI3071: Molecular Analysis of Tropical Microbes (Level 3; TSV)
• MI5071: Molecular Analysis of Tropical Microbes (Level 5; TSV)
• TM5502: Tropical Public Health (Level 5; TSV)
• TM5600: Introduction to One Health (Level 5; TSV)
• TV2102: Integrated Animal Structure and Function 2 (Level 2; TSV)
• TV3001: Transitions from Health to Disease 1 (Level 3; TSV)

Interests

Professional

• Associate Editor, BMC Infectious Diseases (2019-current)
• Associate Editor, Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease (2020-current)
• International Network Steering Committee, CANARIES (The Consortium of Animal market Networks to Assess Risk of emerging Infectious diseases through Enhanced Surveillance) (2019-current) https://www.canarieshmhp.org/
• Member, National Avian Influenza Wild Bird Surveillance Program Steering Group, Wildlife Health Australia (2020-current)

Research

• 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

Experience

• 2021 to present - Associate Professor, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences (Townsville, Australia)
• 2017 to present - Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, Federation University (Churchill, Australia)
• 2019 to 2021 - Senior Lecturer, College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences, James Cook University (Townsville, Australia)
• 2017 to 2019 - Senior Research Fellow, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University (Cairns, Australia)
• 2013 to 2016 - Director, Cambodian WHO H5 Reference Laboratory and National Influenza Centre (Phnom Penh, Cambodia)
• 2013 to 2016 - Deputy-Head of Virology Unit, Institut Pasteur in Cambodia (Phnom Penh, Cambodia)
• 2010 to 2013 - Director, Papua New Guinean WHO National Influenza Centre (Goroka, Papua New Guinea)
• 2010 to 2013 - Principal Research Fellow, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research (Goroka, Papua New Guinea)
• 2003 to 2010 - Biotechnologist, Queensland Primary Industries & Fisheries (Brisbane, Australia)

Research Disciplines

• Veterinary sciences (3009)
• Clinical sciences (3202)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Public health (2004)

Awards

• 2019 - Research Excellence Award Winner, Veterinary Science, James Cook University
• 2018 - Australian Research Field Leader in Health & Medical Sciences - Epidemiology, The Australian
• 2012 - Bursary Award, Wellcome Trust
• 2010 - Travel Scholarship, Pfizer/Wyeth

Fellowships

• 1999 to 2002 - Australian Postgraduate Awards

Memberships

• 2020 - Higher Degree by Research (HDRES) Committee, James Cook University
• 2019 - Research and Postgraduate Committee, Veterinary Discipline, James Cook University
• 2019 - Veterinary Science Curriculum Review and Assessment Committee, James Cook University
• 2018 - Centre for Tropical Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology, James Cook University
• 2017 - Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine
• 2017 - Research Committee, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University
• 2015 - WHO Consultancy, Informal Consultancy on Surveillance for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) using the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) Platform, Geneva, Switzerland
• 2015 to 2016 - Advisory Board for Cambodian Veterinary Epidemiology Training (CAVET)
• 2014 to 2016 - Cambodian National Advisory Committee for IHR/APSED
• 2013 to 2016 - Cambodian Zoonotic Technical Working Group
• 2012 to 2013 - Safety and Security Committee, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research
• 2012 to 2013 - Papua New Guinea Emerging Infectious Diseases and Health Emergencies Workplan Committee
• 2012 to 2013 - Institutional Ethics Review Board (IRB), Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research
• 2011 to 2013 - Papua New Guinea National Advisory Committee for APSED

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

• Furlong M, Adamu A, Hoskins A, Russell T, Gummow B, Golchin M, Hickson R and Horwood P (2023) Japanese Encephalitis Enzootic and Epidemic Risks across Australia. Viruses, 15 (2).
• Horwood P, Horm S, Yann S, Tok S, Chan M, Suttie A, Y P, Rith S, Siegers J, San S, Davun H, Tum S, Ly S, Tarantola A, Dussart P and Karlsson E (2023) Aerosol exposure of live bird market workers to viable influenza A/H5N1 and A/H9N2 viruses, Cambodia. Zoonoses and Public Health, 70 (2). pp. 171-175
• Okoh G, Lockhart M, Grimsey J, Whitmore D, Ariel E, Butler J and Horwood P (2023) Development of subfamily-based consensus PCR assays for the detection of human and animal herpesviruses. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 42 (6). pp. 741-746
• Toft C, Bourquin R, Sorenson A, Horwood P, Druce J and Schaeffer P (2023) Analytical sensitivity of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests: A case for a robust reference standard. Talanta, 7.
• Bowater R, Horwood P, Picard J, Huisman I, Hayes L, Mackie T and Taylor J (2022) A novel alphaherpesvirus and concurrent respiratory cryptococcosis in a captive koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). Australian Veterinary Journal, 100 (7). pp. 329-335
• Dyson Z, Malau E, Horwood P, Ford R, Siba V, Yoannes M, Pomat W, Passey M, Judd L, Ingle D, Williamson D, Dougan G, Greenhill A and Holt K (2022) Whole genome sequence analysis of Salmonella Typhi in Papua New Guinea reveals an established population of genotype 2.1.7 sensitive to antimicrobials. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 16 (3).
• Furlong M, Adamu A, Hickson R, Horwood P, Golchin M, Hoskins A and Russell T (2022) Estimating the Distribution of Japanese Encephalitis Vectors in Australia Using Ecological Niche Modelling. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 7 (12).
• Javati S, Guernier-Cambert V, Jonduo M, Robby S, Kimopa J, Maure T, McBryde E, Pomat W, Aplin K, Helgen K, Abdad M and Horwood P (2022) Diversity of Leptospira spp. in bats and rodents from Papua New Guinea. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 69 (6). pp. 4048-4054
• Jonduo M, Neave M, Javati S, Abala D, Bilo E, Kini A, Kumbu J, Laman M, Robinson L, Makita L, Susapu M, Pomat W, Abdad M, Williams D and Horwood P (2022) Genomic Sequencing of Dengue Virus Strains Associated with Papua New Guinean Outbreaks in 2016 Reveals Endemic Circulation of DENV-1 and DENV-2. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 107 (6). pp. 1234-1238
• Matthews R, Kaluthotage I, Russell T, Knox T, Horwood P and Craig A (2022) Arboviral disease outbreaks in the Pacific Islands countries and areas, 2014 to 2020: a systematic literature and document review. Pathogens, 11 (1).
• Nawtaisong P, Robinson M, Khammavong K, Milavong P, Rachlin A, Dittrich S, Dubot-Pérès A, Vongsouvath M, Horwood P, Dussart P, Theppangna W, Douangngeum B, Fine A, Pruvot M and Newton P (2022) Zoonotic Pathogens in Wildlife Traded in Markets for Human Consumption, Laos. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 28 (4). pp. 860-864
• Russell T, Horwood P, Harrington H, Apairamo A, Kama N, Bobogare A, Maclaren D and Burkot T (2022) Seroprevalence of dengue, Zika, chikungunya and Ross River viruses across the Solomon Islands. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 16 (2).

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ResearchOnline@JCU stores 114+ research outputs authored by A/Prof Paul Horwood 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

• Identification and influence of intestinal parasites in the gut microbiome of mothers and infants from Papua New Guinea. (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
• Development of a Universal Rapid Diagnostic Test for Influenza A, B and SARS-COV-2 (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Development of a Framework for determining Zoonotic emerging Infectipous Disease risk profiles at Traditional Food Markets as a method for implementing long-term Risk Mitigation measures and improved Self-governance (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
• The Threat of Feral Pigs as a Reservoir of Zoonotic Diseases in North Queensland (PhD , Primary Advisor)
• Saving a cryptic tropical species: combining spatial and reproductive sciences to determine the future of the endangered pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) (PhD , Primary Advisor)
• Investigating Herpesvirus Infection in Australian wildlife (PhD , Primary Advisor)
• Studies of Bellinger River Virus (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)

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.