Research Activities

Professor Gilda Tachedjian is a virologist combining interdisciplinary basic, translational and clinical research to discover and advance effective drug-based strategies to prevent and control emerging pathogens.   Prof Tachedjian was awarded a PhD in Microbiology from Monash University and received an NHMRC CJ Martin Fellowship to undertake postdoctoral studies at Columbia University in New York. Prof Tachedjian was recruited to the Burnet Institute in 2002 and was awarded NHMRC RD Wright Career Development Award in 2003 and NHMRC Senior Research Fellowships in 2009 and 2017.  

Prof Tachedjian has made major contributions to HIV reverse transcriptase, antivirals, drug resistance and HIV prevention research including advancing knowledge on the role of the vaginal microbiome in modulating HIV acquisition in women. Prof Tachedjian was among the first to characterise retroviruses in bats and bat antiviral (restriction) factors.  

Prof Tachedjian's current research interests include:   1. Discovering a new drug class for HIV treatment and prevention using fragment-based drug design   2. Defining the role of the vaginal microbiome and their metabolites in modulating adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes.   3. Characterising viruses that circulate in bats and defining the role of their unique antiviral factors in controlling viruses that are pathogenic in humans and other species.