Lay summary
I was introduced to epidemiology while doing a Masters in Public Health at the University of Otago. Since then I have worked as an epidemiologist on a typhoid project in Fiji and with the Southern Hemisphere Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Research and Surveillance (SHIVERS) project in New Zealand. My career focus is on infectious disease with the potential to go in various directions, from research and teaching to national public health initiatives. SHIVERS stimulated my interest in investigating the epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in NZ. RSV is a common pathogen in children however estimates of its disease burden and economic impact in NZ are limited. The proposed project aims to better understand the impact of RSV in NZ using data collected through the SHIVERS project. This study will not only contribute to a better understanding of local RSV burden but also contribute to knowledge about the virus internationally.