Helen Marshall

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:

  1. The “B Part of It NT study, assessing the cross protective impact of meningococcal B vaccine against gonorrhoea.
  2. Assessing long-term physical, neurocognitive, economic and societal impact of invasive meningococcal disease in Australian adolescents and young adults
  3. 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)
  1. Immune response to influenza vaccine over 8 influenza seasons
  2. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of Group B streptococcus isolates in SA and the NT
  3. 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
  1.  

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

  1.  

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

  1.  

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

  1.  

2015

Danchin M, Marshall H. Parent Immunisation needs and attitudes survey - Antenatal Clinics (PINA-A). Murdoch Children’s Research Institute

$12,000

  1.  

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

  1.  

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        

  1.  

2012-2012

Marshall H, Gold M. PAEDS surveillance: Pertussis. SA Health   

$30,000

  1.  

2012            

Marshall H Faculty of Health Sciences grant, University of Adelaide 

$15,000

  1.  

2010- 2012  

Marshall H Pertussis surveillance: use of a novel severity scoring system. SA Health

$30,000

  1.  

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

  1.  

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

  1.  

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
  1.  

2019-2022

Marshall H. Evaluation of the South Australian MenB immunisation program. SA Health.

  1.  

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

  1.  

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

  1.  

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

  1.  

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

  1.  

2017-2019

Marshall H (CIA) et al. Meningococcal B vaccine carriage study. GlaxoSmithKline    

  1.  

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

  1.  

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

  1.  

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                                                

  1.  

2016

Marshall H. Optimising protection for pregnant women and infants with maternal vaccination. Sanofi

  1.  

2016

Marshall H. A clinical study to determine whether antibiotic driven neonatal intestinal dysbiosis is associated with impaired vaccine responses. SAHMRI

  1.  

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

  1.  

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

  1.  

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

  1.  

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.

  1.  

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

  1.  

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

  1.  

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

  1.  

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

  1.  

2014

Marshall H. VAXSMS: Evaluation of an App designed to encourage on-time immunisation of infants and young children. bioCSL 

  1.  

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

  1.  

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

  1.  

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

  1.  

2013

Marshall H. Severe influenza in children under five years of age – risk factors, complications and co-infections.

  1.  

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

  1.  

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

  1.  

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

  1.  

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.

  1.  

2012

Marshall H. Community knowledge and attitudes towards meningococcal disease and its prevention through introduction of new meningococcal vaccines; Health Monitor survey. Novartis.

  1.  

2012-2013

Marshall H. Impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on severe pneumococcal disease requiring hospitalization in South Australian children. Pfizer.

  1.  

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.

  1.  

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 

  1.  

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.

  1.  

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.

  1.  

2011-2012

Marshall H, Thomas N. The impact of Invasive Meningococcal Disease in Australian Children (April 2000 – April 2011). Novartis.

  1.  

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.

  1.  

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.

  1.  

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.

  1.  

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.

  1.  

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.

  1.  

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

  • Position: Professor in Vaccinology, Clinical Research Director
  • Phone: 81618115
  • Email: helen.marshall@adelaide.edu.au
  • Fax: 83136885, 81617031
  • Campus: Womens & Childrens Hospital
  • Building: WCH - Good Friday Building,WCH - Clarence Rieger Building, floor 2
  • Org Unit: Adelaide Medical School, Women's and Children's Health

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