Professor Kirsten Spann leads the Respiratory Virus Research Group: a team of researchers examining viruses and respiratory diseases. The viruses we study include rhinovirus, RSV, HMPV, human coronaviruses and SARS-COV-2. We are interested in all aspects of virus biology, transmission and immune regulation, although focus on the role of viruses in chronic upper and lower respiratory tract diseases. Professor Spann’s research combines virology, immunology and cell biology and is focused on the following areas of research.

1. Developing nasal and lung epithelial cell models to examine immune responses to viruses and the efficacy of potential antiviral treatments.

2. Examining how viruses and the body’s immune response exacerbate chronic respiratory conditions including asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

3. Researching the role of viruses in pediatric otitis media (children’s middle ear infections).

4. Bringing virology expertise to other research areas, including improving air-conditioning systems, understanding how viruses survive in aerosols, and developing anti-pathogenic metal surfaces to reduce transmission.

School of Biomedical Sciences
Centre for Immunology and Infection Control
Queensland University of Technology
Brisbane, QLD, 4001