Dr David Khoury has applied statistical and modelling approaches to address critical questions in infection and immunity.
The nation's leading scientific body has awarded the Gottschalk Medal to UNSW's Dr David Khoury from the Kirby Institute in recognition of his work in malaria drug development and vaccine policies for COVID-19 and mpox.
Dr Khoury was among 23 top scientists to be celebrated by the Australian Academy of Science (AAS) on Monday. The Gottschalk Medal recognises outstanding contributions to research in the biomedical sciences.
"David's use of mathematical modelling to tackle global health challenges has directly shaped international policy on COVID-19 and mpox vaccination, as well as antimalarial drug testing," Professor Cheryl Jones, Dean of UNSW Medicine & Health, said.
"This is research excellence at its best, and he's delivered real and immediate benefits for public health, particularly for some of the world's most at-risk communities."
Using maths to transform our understanding of infectious disease
Dr Khoury's research focuses on integrating diverse data gathered during outbreaks to better understand immunity and predict how vaccines and treatments will work in real-world settings. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his approach helped decision-makers use antibody data to guide public health responses.
"We realised we had a bit of a speciality and were well positioned within our expertise to link data that's being generated in the field to provide a framework for what correlates with protection in COVID," Dr Khoury said.
Dr Khoury was the first researcher globally to identify a key measure of immune protection for COVID-19 - a discovery that influenced national and international vaccine policies, including the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children.
Applying similar methods to mpox, Dr Khoury discovered the only known evidence linking the immune response from the vaccine to actual protection against the disease.
His work has guided global vaccine policy and contributed to improving the use of limited vaccine supplies in regions with high disease burden, such as parts of Africa.
Dr Khoury's research highlights the growing role of data science in public health, demonstrating how combining mathematical modelling with clinical and laboratory research can lead to more effective, evidence-based responses to global health threats.
The ability to translate complex data into practical guidance for policymakers is a key motivation behind his work.
"If it's possible to use maths and statistics to help people and support vulnerable communities, then that's what drives us," he said.
Since receiving his PhD in 2016, Dr Khoury has authored 59 high-impact publications in top-tier journals including Nature Medicine and The Lancet Microbe.
The AAS recognition reflects the collective efforts of his team, Dr Khoury said.
"None of the work that we do is ever just me - it's always a team," he said.
Looking ahead, Dr Khoury hopes to apply the team's unique approach across a broader range of infectious diseases, helping policymakers to better use the vast and growing volumes of health data.
"There's an enormous amount of data being generated, but the real challenge is bringing it together in a way that can inform decisions," he said.
If it's possible to use maths and statistics to help people and support vulnerable communities, then that's what drives us.
