
Communicable Diseases & Immunisation Conference 2025
'Future directions for immunisation and communicable disease control: embracing ideas, innovations and improvements'
Tuesday 10 to Thursday 12 June 2025 | Adelaide Convention Centre, Kaurna Country/Adelaide, SA
#CDIC2025


2025 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Prof. Mark Jit
Professor and Chair
New York University
Mark Jit is professor and chair of the Department of Global and Environmental Health at New York University. He also holds honorary appointments at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the National University of Singapore (NUS). His research focuses on epidemiological and economic modelling of vaccines to support evidence-based public health decision making. This work has influenced many of the major changes to immunisation policy around the world. He also organises or contributes to academic and professional courses on vaccine modelling, economics and decision science.

Dr. Georges Benjamin
Executive Director
American Public Health Association
Georges C. Benjamin, MD, is a well-known health policy leader, practitioner, and administrator. He currently serves as the executive director of the American Public Health Association, the nation's oldest and largest organization of public health professionals. He is also a former secretary of Health for the state of Maryland where he oversaw a $4.5 billion agency. Dr. Benjamin is a graduate of the Illinois Institute of Technology and the University of Illinois College of Medicine. He is board-certified in internal medicine, a Master of the American College of Physicians, a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, a fellow emeritus of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine. At APHA, he serves as the publisher for APHA Press, the American Journal of Public Health and The Nation’s Health newspaper. In addition, he sits on the boards of Research! America (Vice chair) and the Environmental Defense Fund.

Prof. Helen Marshall AM
Professor of Vaccinology
The University of Adelaide
Professor Marshall AM is a clinician researcher and NHMRC Investigator Fellow. She is a Consultant and Professor in Vaccinology at the Adelaide Medical School and the inaugural Clinical Research Director, Women’s and Children’s Health Network. She has previously been a member of the ATAGI, which advises the Federal Minister of Health on immunisation for the National Immunisation Program. Prof Marshall has published over 290 peer-reviewed papers in international journals and received > $60 million in grant funding. She was awarded the SA Science Award for Excellence in Research Collaboration in 2019 and a Member of the Order of Australia in 2022. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Health and Medical Sciences and the 2023 South Australian Scientist of the Year. She was the 2022 SA Australian of the Year and SA Woman of the Year. In 2022 she was awarded Member of the Order of Australia. Prof Marshall leads the NHMRC funded NEIS CRE: Centre of Research Excellence in Neisseria disease control.

Prof. Pasi Penttinen
Chief Executive Officer
Gulf CDC
Prof Penttinen is the Chief Executive Officer for Gulf CDC, based in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He is leading the establishment of this regional Center for Disease Prevention and Control in a scientific and managerial role. Dr Penttinen is a part-time professor at the Florence School of Transnational Governance. As a public health leader with a distinguished career of more than 20 years he has managed and lead disease prevention and control activities in multiple countries, at local, national and international levels both in the public and private sector. Prior to his current roles, Dr Penttinen lead the establishment of epidemic intelligence activities at ECDC, lead the scientific and programmatic work on the influenza and other respiratory viruses. He managed multiple public health emergencies for ECDC, including the 2009 influenza pandemic and the COVID-19 pandemic. His research interests include surveillance, pandemic preparedness, epidemic intelligence, surveillance of respiratory viruses and vaccines. Dr Penttinen has also worked with the national public health institutes in Finland and Sweden and advised a large privately funded public health program in Papua, Indonesia with components on primary health care, TB, HIV-STI and malaria control.

Prof. Catherine Bennett
Chair in Epidemiology
Deakin University
Catherine is Distinguished Professor and the foundation Chair in Epidemiology at Deakin University. Over her career, her experience extends across sectors as an infectious disease epidemiologist and public health researcher with universities and government, including Deakin University, the University of Melbourne, NSW Health and the Victorian Government. She was Director of Population Health Practice at the University of Melbourne before joining Deakin as Head, School of Health and Social Development from 2010-2019. Her research focusses on community transmission of infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance. Catherine is a public analyst on public health matters and advisor to industry, governments, and institutions globally, and as one of the three-person Independent Panel that led the Australian Government COVID-19 Response Inquiry.

Ms. Mary Wood
Deputy Secretary, Interim Centre of Disease Control
Department of Health and Aged Care
Senior health executive, Mary Wood, is the head of the Interim Australian Centre for Disease Control. Ms Wood has a broad span of experience in policy development both within the Australian Public Service and in the non-government sector. Her previous work at the Department of Health and Aged Care includes leading negotiations for the Commonwealth on the National Health Reform Agreement with state and territory governments, health system reform, and population health. Ms Wood has also served as a Deputy Director-General in ACT Health, led corporate citizenship at the Business Council of Australia, and been a Chief of Staff to a federal minister.

Prof. Brett Sutton AO
Director, Health & Biosecurity
CSIRO
Brett is Director of Health & Biosecurity at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency. A qualified public health physician, he brings extensive experience and clinical expertise in public health and communicable diseases, developed through roles in government, emergency medicine, and international fieldwork. Before joining CSIRO, Brett served as Victoria’s Chief Health Officer and Chief Human Biosecurity Officer. He also held senior positions within the Victorian Department of Health, including Deputy Chief Health Officer (Communicable Disease) and head of Health Protection Branch. With specialist knowledge in tropical medicine and infectious diseases, Brett has worked extensively in lower-middle-income countries and complex humanitarian settings. His international experience includes specialised health roles in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Timor-Leste, and Fiji. Brett’s career reflects his passion and commitment to advancing health outcomes in Australia and globally

Ms. Tina D Purnat
Leadership Fellow and DrPH Student
Harvard Th Chan School of Public Health