Applied science

Australia and many other countries have very advanced plans to prepare for and combat pandemic influenza, wherever and whenever it appears. In addition to her role as centre director, Kelso also sits on some of the committees involved in formulating and updating the national pandemic plans, including the National Influenza Pandemic Action Committee. And the inside word is that Australia is well placed globally in its preparedness planning.

So much so that a third edition of the Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza (AHMPPI) is due out any day now. Each version updates the previous one based on new global information and thinking of what needs to be done.

Having now been in this new position of centre director for well over a year, Kelso can finally lift her head long enough to reflect on the latest challenge in her impressive career path. "It is a completely different field of activity from what I was doing before as a biomedical researcher (for over 20 years) and then as head of a CRC. This is now really in the public health arena."

The fact that the work is still firmly based in laboratory science, but part of a global public health activity, was a major attraction for Kelso in making the shift back to Melbourne. "Influenza is an important disease, potentially extremely important. I am enjoying being part of the global surveillance of this virus - it feels worthwhile."

Kelso is still keeping a foot in the research world with an honorary position in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Melbourne. "I go to lab meetings there and still participate in grant application processes, although now of course for influenza research. We are particularly interested in how basic understanding of the immune response to influenza can be used to inform the development of better vaccines - not just seasonal flu but also for pandemic virus."

To the obvious question, Kelso replies that when the pandemic hits, she will probably not have the option of staying at home, although recommends that those that can should. "Our centre will definitely have a big role to play, in analysing the virus, monitoring antiviral drug resistance, potentially monitoring immunity to the virus - so I think my main concern will be to make sure that work happens."