Jessy Vibin

Jessy Vibin was an APPRISE Student and PhD student at Deakin University and Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases (GCEID). She is a Lecturer in the School of Medicine at Deakin University (as of May 2023).

Jessy’s project aimed to characterise the virus community (virome) of Australian wild birds using a combination of novel molecular techniques and ecological information and thereby contribute knowledge towards controlling the risk from zoonotic viruses in wild birds.

We currently have limited knowledge of the avian host-associated virus communities including both pathogenic and non-pathogenic viruses, yet birds are potential carriers with a risk of zoonotic disease emergence.

Australia is home to more than 800 species of birds including both endemic, introduced and migratory species with variable habitat distributions and lifestyle traits. Wild birds are potential hosts to many viruses such as Murray Valley encephalitis virus, Kunjin virus, Newcastle disease virus, and Ross River Virus. The introduction or transmission of viruses to novel hosts or habitats can have significant health and economic consequences.

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6903-8400

Project: Metagenomics of viruses in Australian wild birds

Supervisors:

Professor Soren Alexandersen (Principal supervisor)

Dr Anthony Chamings (Associate supervisor)

Dr Jessy Vibin has completed her PhD