
Professor Helen Marshall
Professor in Vaccinology, Clinical Research Director
Health and Medical Sciences Faculty Office
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Professor Helen Marshall is a medical researcher with specialist training in child health, public health and vaccinology. She completed a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, Doctorate of Medicine, Master in Public Health and Diploma in Child Health at the University of Adelaide and the international Advanced Vaccinology Course at the Pasteur Merieux Institute, France.
Prof Marshall is Professor in Vaccinology in the Adelaide Medical School and Senior Medical Practitioner and Medical Director, Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit (VIRTU), in the Department of Paediatrics at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. In 2022 she was appointed as the inaugural Clinical Research Director of the Women's and Children's Health Network in Adelaide.
In recognition of Prof Marshall's research leadership, she was awarded 2022 SA Australian of the Year and 2022 SA Woman of the Year. In 2021 she was made a Fellow of the Australian Academy Health and Medical Sciences and was a Finalist for SA Scientist of the Year. Previously, she was awarded the South Australia Science Award for Excellence in Research Collaboration in 2019, Research for the Public Good in 2010, and a national Public Health Association of Australia Fellowship in 2013. Her research was included in the NHMRC “10 of the best” research projects for 2016. She was the recipient of the Australia Day Council, Inspiring South Australian Women Award in 2020.
Professor Marshall’s research program addresses urgent priorities in infectious disease prevention in children and includes implementation research and clinical trials in investigational and licensed vaccines, infectious and social epidemiology and public health. Her main interests include meningococcal, human papillomavirus, influenza and pertussis infections and their prevention by immunisation. Professor Marshall has been an investigator on 108 implementation, clinical and epidemiological studies. Professor Marshall’s research group, VIRTU, is the only research centre in Australia using social science research methodologies to investigate community attitudes to the introduction of new vaccines. She was awarded a NHMRC Career Development Fellowship (CDF) in 2011, a NHMRC CDF(2) in 2015 and NHMRC Practitioner Fellowship 2019-2023.
Since 2004, Prof Marshall has published over 230 peer-reviewed papers in high quality general medicine and specialist journals across diverse disciplines with individual paper citations > 8,000. Her h-index = 49 and i10-index is 154. She has been awarded 17 NHMRC (CIA x 7, including 3 Fellowships), ARC, Government, Foundation and Industry grants totalling >$36 million.
Available Research Projects
The research program at the Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit (VIRTU) is directed to address urgent priorities in infectious disease prevention and includes clinical trials in investigational vaccines, infectious and social epidemiology and public health. VIRTU research is focused on meningococcal, influenza, pneumococcal and pertussis vaccines and suitable HDR projects within these broad areas can be developed after discussion with Prof. Helen Marshall, Director of VIRTU.
One of the main areas of current research at VIRTU is meningococcal disease. Meningococcal disease causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide and invasive meningococcal disease can result in long-term disability. VIRTU currently conducts several projects on meningococcal disease including the following:
- The “B Part of It NT study, assessing the cross protective impact of meningococcal B vaccine against gonorrhoea.
- Assessing long-term physical, neurocognitive, economic and societal impact of invasive meningococcal disease in Australian adolescents and young adults
- Evaluation of the newly implemented South Australian immunisation program against meningococcal B disease
In addition to projects suitable for HDR students, VIRTU routinely conducts systematic reviews and meta-analyses on infectious diseases and vaccines which are suitable for third year undergraduate research students.
Third Year and Honours Projects (2023)
- Immune response to influenza vaccine over 8 influenza seasons
- Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of Group B streptococcus isolates in SA and the NT
- Safety and effectiveness of bivalent Covid-19 vaccines during pregnancy: A systematic review of observational studies
My Research
Grant Funding
Category 1 – Total $17,004,013
National competitive Fellowship schemes
1. |
2019-2023 |
CIA – NHMRC PF level 1 Optimising immunisation in vulnerable groups to improve health outcomes for disadvantaged children APP1155066 |
$498,000 |
2. |
2015-2018 |
CIA – NHMRC CDF level 2 Immunisation practice and policy development in Australia: urgent priorities in prevention of infectious diseases in children, pregnant women and adolescents. APP1084951 |
$455,452 |
3. |
2011-2014 |
CIA - NHMRC CDF level 1 Immunisation practice and policy development in Australia: responding to urgent priorities in prevention of endemic and epidemic infectious diseases in children. APP1016272 |
$384,160 |
National competitive schemes – NHMRC and MRFF
1. | 2022-2026 | Marshall H, Ward J et al., Long term effectiveness of meningococcal B vaccine (4CMenB) against gonorrhoea. Commonwealth Department of Health Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections Research Grant GO5055 | $1,011,583 |
2. | 2022-2025 | Marshall H; Danchin M; Blyth C; Ong J; Dodd J; Couper J; Sullivan T; Karnon J; Andraweera P. Novel strategies to improve protection for pregnant women and medically at risk children from influenza and COVID-19 APP2014684 | $964,165 |
3. |
2022-2024 |
Ward J, Bradley C, Marshall H, Snelling T. |
|
4. |
2022-2024 |
Bradley C, Ward J, Bickerstaffe A, Pearson O, Guy R, Griffiths K, Marshall H, Barzi F, Jacups Improving surveillance infrastructure for Indigenous primary health care |
$1.99 million |
5. |
2020-2021 |
Wood N, Richmond P, Marshall H MRFF Novel DNA based COVID-19 vaccine: A phase 1/1b trial for Australia |
$2.9 million |
6. |
2019-2023 |
Marshall H (CIA) B Part of it NT: Immunisation for adolescents against serious communicable diseases. NHMRC Partnership Grant APP1170965 |
$1,292,029 |
7. |
2019-2021 |
Lynn D, Marshall H (CIB). How does the microbiota modulate vaccine responses in human infants: A systems vaccinology approach. NHMRC Project Grant APP1156415 |
$858,033 |
8. |
2018-2022 |
Chang K, Binks M, O’Grady KA, Marshall H (CID), Toombs M, Smith-VaughanH Pizzutto S, Torzillo P, Grimwood K, Swamy G. Preventing early-onset pneumonia in Indigenous children through maternal immunisation: a multi-centre randomised controlled trial (RCT). NHMRC Project Grant APP1138555 |
$3,210,617 |
9. |
2016-2019 |
Macartney K, Leask J, Marshall H (CIC) et al Reducing vaccine preventable disease in children using national active hospital-based surveillance to evaluate and improve immunisation program performance. NHMRC Partnership Grant APP1113851 |
$1,049,915 |
10. |
2016-2018 |
Lynn D, Rogers G, Marshall H (CIC) et al.The impact of the neonatal gut microbiome on specific and nonspecific vaccine responses. NHMRC project APP1098429 |
$661,495 |
11. |
2014-2015 |
Marshall (AI) TESTOV - Pneumo - Evaluation of the effectiveness of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine against pneumococcal pneumonia in children NHMRC project grant. |
$10,000 |
12. |
2012- 2016 |
Andrews R, Marshall H (CIF). FluMum: a prospective cohort study of mother-infant pairs assessing vaccination effectiveness against Influenza in Pregnancy. NHMRC project grant APP1020035 |
$2,481,065 |
13. |
2012-2014 |
Skinner R, Marshall H (CIE). A randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention to improve HPV uptake through a school based immunization program. NHMRC project grant APP 1026765. |
$723,634 |
14. |
2011-2013 |
Lan R, Gilbert G, Sintchenko V, McIntyre P, Marshall H (CIE), Wood N. Evolution of pertussis epidemics and effect of genotypes on infection outcomes and immunisation. NHMRC project grant APP1011942. |
$638,100 |
15. |
2010-2012 |
Braunack-Mayer A, Marshall H, O’Keefe M, Burgess T, Skinner R, McCaffery K, Watson M. How can intersectoral collaboration between the health and education sectors be optimized? ARC Linkage Project LP100200007. |
$275,000 |
16. |
2009- 2011 |
McIntyre P, Nolan T, Wood N, Marshall H (CID). Immunogenicity and safety of acellular pertussis vaccine at birth. NHMRC project grant APP0570756. |
$1,200,000 |
17. |
2009-2010 |
Marshall H (CIA), Braunack-Mayer A, Ryan P, Street J. Evaluating community understanding of and participation in strategies to prevent the spread of H1N1. NHMRC H1N1 Influenza 09 APP0626867 |
$185,000 |
18. |
2009-2010 |
Elliott E, McIntyre P, Gold M, Marshall H, (CIF) Characterisation of H1N1 Influenza 09 in hospitalized children using Paediatric Active Enhanced Diseases Surveillance. NHMRC H1N1 Influenza 09 APP0633028. |
$181,513 |
Category 2 - Total $555,790
|
2019 |
Marshall H, Fereday J, Tuckermand J, Sullivan T, Blyth C, Danchin M, Couper J, Tai A, Smith N. Utilising provider-parent strategies to improve influenza vaccination in children and adolescents with special risk medical conditions: a randomised controlled trial Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation |
$100,000 |
|
2019 |
Clarke M, Marshall H, Lynn D. A clinical study to determine whether antibiotic-driven neonatal intestinal dysbiosis is associated with impaired vaccine responses. Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation |
$100,000 |
|
2016 |
Marshall H A prospective pilot study investigating the impact of obesity on seroprotection following influenza vaccination in Australian children aged 11-17 years. Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation Departmental grant |
$10,000 |
|
2015 |
Danchin M, Marshall H. Parent Immunisation needs and attitudes survey - Antenatal Clinics (PINA-A). Murdoch Children’s Research Institute |
$12,000 |
|
2014-2015 |
Marshall H (CIA), Lambert S, Dodd J, Clarke M, Barr I, Gent R. Does obesity in pregnancy impact on immune response to influenza vaccines? Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation |
$69,290 |
|
2014 |
Marshall H (CIA), Braunack-Mayer A, Ratcliffe J. Incorporating young people’s views into priority setting for preventative health strategies to improve the health of adolescents. Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation |
$74,500 |
|
2012-2012 |
Marshall H, Gold M. PAEDS surveillance: Pertussis. SA Health |
$30,000 |
|
2012 |
Marshall H Faculty of Health Sciences grant, University of Adelaide |
$15,000 |
|
2010- 2012 |
Marshall H Pertussis surveillance: use of a novel severity scoring system. SA Health |
$30,000 |
|
2010- 2011 |
Marshall H, Thomas N. Are parents receiving the currently recommended vaccines to protect them and their newborn infant against pertussis? The Cocoon Study. SA Health |
$56,000 |
|
2009-2010 |
Marshall H, Braunack-Mayer A, O’Keefe M. Human Papillomavirus vaccine; why are adolescents opting out? Faculty of Health Sciences new collaborations grant. University of Adelaide / SA Health. |
$22,000 |
|
2008-2012 |
Boros C, Marshall H, Gold M. HPV Immunisation of children with immunosuppression. Arthritis Australia and SA Health. |
$37,000 |
Category 3 - Total $15,097,877
|
2019-2022 |
Marshall H. Evaluation of the South Australian MenB immunisation program. SA Health. |
|
2020 |
Marshall H. A Single-Site Study for the Collection of Pre- and Post- Vaccination Blood Samples From Volunteers Receiving the 2020 Southern Hemisphere Formulation of Inactivated Influenza Vaccine. bioCSL |
|
2019-2020 |
Marshall H. A phase 3, randomized, placebo controlled, double blind trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a prefusion F subunit respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine in infants born to vaccinated pregnant women C3671008 Pfizer |
|
2019 |
Marshall H. A Single-Site Study for the Collection of Pre- and Post- Vaccination Blood Samples From Volunteers Receiving the 2019 Southern Hemisphere Formulation of Inactivated Influenza Vaccine. bioCSL |
|
2018 |
Marshall H. A Single-Site Study for the Collection of Pre- and Post- Vaccination Blood Samples From Volunteers Receiving the 2018 Southern Hemisphere Formulation of Inactivated Influenza Vaccine. bioCSL |
|
2017-2019 |
Marshall H (CIA) et al. Meningococcal B vaccine carriage study. GlaxoSmithKline |
|
2017 |
Marshall H. A Single-Site Study for the Collection of Pre- and Post- Vaccination Blood Samples From Volunteers Receiving the 2017 Southern Hemisphere Formulation of Inactivated Influenza Vaccine. bioCSL |
|
2016 |
Marshall H. A Phase 3, Randomized, Observer-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Group-Sequential Study to Determine the Immunogenicity and Safety of a Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) F Nanoparticle Vaccine with Aluminium in Healthy Third-trimester Pregnant Women; and safety and Efficacy of Maternally Transferred Antibodies in Preventing RSV Disease in their Infants (RSV-M-301). Novavax |
|
2016 |
Marshall H. A Single Site Study for the Collection of Pre- and Post- Vaccination Blood Samples From Volunteers Receiving the 2016 Southern Hemisphere Formulation of Inactivated Influenza Vaccine. Seqirus/WHO influenza study 2016 |
|
2016 |
Marshall H. Optimising protection for pregnant women and infants with maternal vaccination. Sanofi |
|
2016 |
Marshall H. A clinical study to determine whether antibiotic driven neonatal intestinal dysbiosis is associated with impaired vaccine responses. SAHMRI |
|
2015 |
Marshall H. Follow up of immunogenicity and safety of acellular pertussis vaccine given at birth to 4 years of age (Birth Pertussis Year 4 study). GlaxoSmithKline |
|
2015 |
Marshall H. A Single-Site Study for the Collection of Pre- and Post- Vaccination Blood Samples From Volunteers Receiving the 2015 Southern Hemisphere Formulation of Inactivated Influenza Vaccine. bioCSL |
|
2015 |
Marshall H. A phase 2, randomized, controlled, observer-blinded study conducted to describe the immunogenicity, safety, and tolerability of a neisseria meningitidis serogroup b bivalent recombinant lipoprotein 2086 vaccine (bivalent rlp2086) when administered to healthy toddlers aged 12 to <24 months Pfizer |
|
2015 |
Marshall H. A Phase 3, randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy and safety of a human monoclonal antibody, REGN2222, for the prevention of medically attended RSV infection in preterm infants. Regeneron. |
|
2015 |
Marshall H. A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, 2-Part Study of Orally Administered ALS-008176 to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Single Ascending Dosing and Multiple Ascending Dosing in Infants Hospitalized with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection. Alios |
|
2015 |
Marshall H. A Phase 3b, Open Label, Controlled, Multi-Center, Extension Study to Assess the Persistence of Bactericidal Activity at 4 to 7.5 Years After Two Dose Primary Series of Novartis Meningococcal B Recombinant Vaccine. Novartis |
|
2014-2018 |
Marshall H (CIA), Booy R, Barton B, Richmond P, Nissen M. Buttery J, Blythe C, N Crawford. The Long-term Impact of Serogroup B Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD) in Australian Adolescents and Young Adults. AMEND study. Pfizer |
|
2014 |
Marshall H. Immunogenicity and safety study of 1 and 2 doses of GSK Biologicals’ meningococcal vaccine GSK134612 in toddlers, persistence up to 5 years after vaccination and co-administration with Pfizer's pneumococcal vaccine Prevenar 13™ GlaxoSmithKline |
|
2014 |
Marshall H. VAXSMS: Evaluation of an App designed to encourage on-time immunisation of infants and young children. bioCSL |
|
2014 |
Marshall H. The vaccine response and long-term antibody persistence of GSK Biologicals’ MenACWY-TT vaccine administered as one dose at 6 years post-MenC primary vaccination in healthy subjects aged 12-18 months at primary vaccination GlaxoSmithKline |
|
2013 |
Marshall H. Identifying facilitators to high uptake of seasonal influenza vaccine and other recommended vaccines amongst Health care Workers (HCW) in different hospital wards in a tertiary paediatric hospital. GlaxoSmithKline |
|
2013 |
Marshall H. Incorporating young people’s views into priority setting for preventative health strategies to improve the health of adolescents. Channel7 Children’s Research Foundation |
|
2013 |
Marshall H. Severe influenza in children under five years of age – risk factors, complications and co-infections. |
|
2013-2014 |
Marshall H. Introduction of a meningitis B vaccine into primary healthcare - a survey of knowledge, attitudes and factors affecting immunisation practices among South Australian GPs (GP survey Men B). Royal Australian College of General Practitioners |
|
2013 |
Marshall H. A Phase III, Observer-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Safety of a Trivalent Subunit Influenza Vaccine Produced either in Mammalian Cell Culture or in Embryonated Chicken Eggs (Fluvirin®), in Healthy Children and Adolescents 4 to 17 Years of Age (V58_31). Novartis |
|
2012 |
Marshall H. Persistence of immunity and response to a booster dose of DTPa or dTpa vaccine at 18 months old following acellular pertussis vaccine given at birth in healthy infants (Birth Pertussis 18 month booster). GlaxoSmithKline |
|
2012-2013 |
Marshall H. A Phase 3, Randomized, Placebo and Active-Control, Observer-Blind Trial to Assess the Safety, Tolerability and Immunogenicity of a Meningococcal Serogroup B Recombinant Lipoprotein (rLP2086) Vaccine Given in Healthy Subjects Aged ≥11 to <26 Years. Pfizer. |
|
2012 |
Marshall H. Community knowledge and attitudes towards meningococcal disease and its prevention through introduction of new meningococcal vaccines; Health Monitor survey. Novartis. |
|
2012-2013 |
Marshall H. Impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on severe pneumococcal disease requiring hospitalization in South Australian children. Pfizer. |
|
2011- 2012 |
Marshall H and VIRTU. Safety and immunogenicity of GSK Biologicals’ (pre-) pandemic influenza candidate vaccine in children aged 6 – 35 months (Protocol:109825), GlaxoSmithKline. |
|
2011 |
Marshall H and VIRTU. A Phase III, Observer-Blind, Randomized, Multi-center Study to Evaluate the Safety,Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of Fluad and Agriflu Compared to the Non Adjuvanted Trivalent Influenza Vaccine Fluzone in Children 6 to <72 Months of Age Novartis, Sienna, Italy, BB-IND#14368 |
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2011-2012 |
Marshall H, Clarke M et al. A cross-sectional cohort study to assess the impact of the rotavirus vaccine introduction on severe gastroenteritis in South Australian children. Merck, USA. |
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2011 |
Marshall H. A Phase 3, Randomized, Comparative, Multicenter Observer-Blind Study Evaluating the Safety and Immunogenicity of Novartis rMenB+OMV NZ Vaccine Formulated with OMV Manufactured at Two Different Sites, in Healthy Adolescents Aged 11-17 Years . Novartis. |
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2011-2012 |
Marshall H, Thomas N. The impact of Invasive Meningococcal Disease in Australian Children (April 2000 – April 2011). Novartis. |
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2010-2011 |
Marshall H, and VIRTU. A Phase 1 Trial to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of 3 Ascending Dose Levels of a 3-Antigen Staphylococcus aureus Vaccine (SA3Ag) in Healthy Adults (Protocol: 6123K1-1007-AU), Wyeth, USA. |
|
2009-2011 |
Marshall H, Rasiah K and VIRTU. A cross-sectional prospective observational study to determine the clinical severity of pertussis infection and epidemiological risk factors in Australian children admitted to hospital over a 12 month period. Sanofi-Pasteur. |
|
2009-2010 |
Marshall H, Boros C, Rasiah K and VIRTU. A phase 2, multicentre, randomised, observer-blind, study to evaluate the immunogenicity, safety and tolerability of CSL’s 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine (CSL425) in healthy children aged ³ 6 months to < 9 years. (Protocol No. CSLCT-CAL-09-60), CSL,Melbourne, Australia. |
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2009-2010 |
Marshall H and VIRTU. A randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial of the safety, immunogenicity and tolerability of meningococcal serogroup B (MnB) rLP2086 vaccine at doses of 60 ug, 120 ug and 200ug in healthy adolescents aged 11 to 18 years (Protocol No. 6108A1-2001-WW), Wyeth, USA. |
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2009-2010 |
Marshall H and VIRTU. A phase 1/2a, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, immunogenicity and vaccine-like viral shedding of MEDI-534, a live, attenuated intranasal vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV3), in healthy 6 to < 24 month-old children and in 2 month-old infants MedImmune, USA. |
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2009-2010 |
Russell F, Marshall H, Druavesi P, Mulholland K, Jenkins K, Bingwar F, Samuela J, Ravea S, Volavola S, LaVincente S, Meilnik D. Evaluation of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine campaign in Fiji. Merck, USA. |
Teaching/Mentoring
2018-current Biology of Childhood Growth, Development & Health
2018-current Infant, Child & Adolescent Health
2008-2012 Poster Assessor, Research Expo 2008, University of Adelaide, 22nd July 2008
2007-current Lecturer, Health Sciences Honours students, Discipline of Paediatrics
2006-2007 Examiner 5th year medical students OSCI exams, University of Adelaide
2005-current Lecturer, Public Health Science students, Discipline of Public Health
2005-current Co-ordinator of VIRTU Seminars
2005-2006 Co-ordinator of Allergy, Immunology, Rheumatology and Vaccinology program
2003-2006 Lecturer, 4th year Medical Students, Discipline of Paediatrics
2003-current Lecturer, Diploma in Child Health, Discipline of Paediatrics
1999-current Oral Assessor for entry into medicine/dentistry
1997-1999 Tutor in General Paediatrics – medical student teaching, years 2-5
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