Eleanor FG Neal Australian Epidemiology Association ASM 2018

Eleanor FG Neal

Eleanor is a PhD Scholar and Research Assistant with the Pneumococcal Research Group, at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute. The group aims to improve pneumococcal vaccination strategies in low and middle-income countries. Eleanor completed a MPH in Epidemiology and International Health, in June 2015. Her research project investigated risk factors of pneumococcal carriage in Fiji, prior to the 2012 introduction of 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10). With no obvious underlying causes, it was clear that indigenous Fijians had significantly greater odds of pneumococcal carriage, a prerequisite for pneumococcal disease, compared with Fijians of Indian Descent. Building upon the training she received in infectious diseases modeling from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Eleanor's is investigating the epidemiology of ethnic differences in pneumococcal carriage, disease, and PCV10 impact in Fiji. She’s very grateful to work with wonderful people in a fascinating field.