Burnet Institute Deputy Program Director, Disease Elimination, and Co-Head of the Viral Hepatitis Elimination Group, Dr Joseph Doyle has been honoured with a prestigious Australian Institute of Policy and Science (AIPS) Tall Poppy Award.
Dr Doyle, who’s also a practicing infectious diseases physician, won a Victorian Young Tall Poppy Science Award for his community engagement and leadership in the epidemiology, management and prevention of blood-borne viruses – HIV, hepatitis C and hepatitis B.
As an Investigator on Burnet’s landmark EC Australia project, Dr Doyle is playing a key role to ensure that Australia takes full advantage of new highly effective treatments for hepatitis C to eliminate the virus as a public health threat.
“By simplifying treatment pathways, delivering treatment to vulnerable populations, and changing health services, we have the opportunity to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030,” Dr Doyle said.
“This will stop individuals from developing liver cancer, improve their quality of life and save society from many of the costs and consequences of liver disease.”
Over 70,000 Australians have accessed the new medications since they became available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in 2016, but an estimated 160,000 people living with hepatitis C remain untreated.
“I’m honoured to win this award among so many other talented scientists from a broad range of disciplines, and the acknowledgement of an important field of research is really gratifying,” Dr Doyle said.
The Young Tall Poppy Science Awards aim to recognise the achievements of Australia’s outstanding young scientific researchers and communicators.
Selection criteria include outstanding research / academic achievement as well as excellence in communication and community engagement to promote an understanding of science.
The Award winners participate in education and community outreach programs in which they become role models to inspire school students and the broader community about the possibilities of science.
This involves a range of other science promotion activities for school students, teachers and the broader community, including visits to schools, educational seminars, workshops, public talks and other activities.
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