Michelle Clarke

I am currently a full time Senior Medical Scientist at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and a part time PhD student with the University of Adelaide with expertise in clinical trials, infectious disease epidemiology and vaccine evaluation.

I have an undergraduate degree in Medical Laboratory Science, a graduate diploma in science and technology commercialisation and Master of Philosophy in Public Health which examined pertussis (whooping cough) epidemiology and prevention in Australia.

I have more than 20 years experience in sponsored and investigator led clinical trials and clinical research investigating vaccines and infectious diseases and have experience in all aspects of clinical research from study design, to study conduct and statistical analysis and reporting. I am an affiliate senior lecturer with the University of Adelaide and enjoy mentoring students in clinical research and vaccine evaluation.

My drive and motivation for research is to ensure the best protection for infants from infectious diseases. My PhD is focused on assessing factors that influence vaccine immunogenicity for pregnant women and children. My research interests and expertise are primarily around paediatric and maternal vaccine preventable diseases including pertussis, influenza, rotavirus, respiratory syncytial virus and invasive pneumococcal disease. I have co-authored 23 publications and am keen to continue to contribute to high quality clinical research to inform best practice for protecting infants from infectious diseases.

· Adelaide Medical School travel award = $1500; Perth CDIC (2023)

· Adelaide Medical School travel award - $1960; Canada INMIS (2019)

· Robinson Research Institute travel award - $1000; Slovenia, ESPID (2019)

· Dean’s commendation for thesis excellence (2016)

· Best student poster: $400 prize; Robinson Research Institute Symposium (Nov 2015)

1. ’Dangerous Goods Awareness with concentration on preparing, handling and

transporting Infectious Substances by Air’,2003 (current expiry Aug 2024)

2. ’Good Clinical Practice for research professionals’, ACRP 26-27 July 2007 and refresher certification 2 yearly (current expiry March 2024)

ORCID ID: 0000-0001-9635-8784

Google Scholar” https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?hl=en&user=kLJp49EAAAAJ

1. Clarke M, Mathew, S.M.; Giles, L.C.; Pena, A.S.; Barr, I.G.; Richmond, P.C.; Marshall, H.S. A Prospective Study Investigating the Impact of Obesity on the Immune Response to the Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine in Children and Adolescents. Vaccines 2022, 10, 699. https://doi.org/10.3390 vaccines10050699 

2. Clarke M, Goodchild LM, Evans S, Giles LC, Sullivan SG, Barr IG, et al. Body mass index and vaccine responses following influenza vaccination during pregnancy. Vaccine. 2021. Epub 2021/07/17. 

3. McMillan M, Chandrakumar A, Wang HLR, Clarke M, Sullivan TR, Andrews RM, et al. Effectiveness of meningococcal vaccines at reducing invasive meningococcal disease and pharyngeal Neisseria meningitidis carriage: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Infect Dis. 2020 

4. Clarke M, Liew YY, Mathew SM, Marshall HS. Clinical Severity of Gastroenteritis in Children Hospitalized With Rotavirus Infection Before and Post Introduction of a National Rotavirus Vaccination Program in Australia. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2020;39(9):e289-e90 

5. Marshall HS, Clarke M, Heath C, Quinn H, Richmond PC, Crawford N, et al. Severe and Complicated Varicella and Associated Genotypes 10 Years After Introduction of a One-Dose Varicella Vaccine Program. J Infect Dis. 2019;219(3):391-9. 

6. Mohammed H, Clarke M, Koehler A, Watson M, Marshall H. Factors associated with uptake of influenza and pertussis vaccines among pregnant women in South Australia. PLoS One. 2018;13(6):e0197867. 

7. McMillan M, Clarke M, Parrella A, Fell DB, Amirthalingam G, Marshall HS. Safety of Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis Vaccination During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2017;129(3):560-73. 

8. Wang B, Giles L, Afzali HHA, Clarke M, Ratcliffe J, Chen G, et al. Adolescent confidence in immunisation: Assessing and comparing attitudes of adolescents and adults. Vaccine. 2016;34(46):5595-603. 

9. Parrella A, Braunack-Mayer A, Collins J, Clarke M, Tooher R, Ratcliffe J, et al. Prioritizing government funding of adolescent vaccinations: recommendations from young people on a citizens' jury. Vaccine. 2016;34(31):3592-7. 

10. Marshall HS, Chen G, Clarke M, Ratcliffe J. Adolescent, parent and societal preferences and willingness to pay for meningococcal B vaccine: A Discrete Choice Experiment. Vaccine. 2016;34(5):671-7. 

11. Lakhan N, Clarke M, Mathew SM, Marshall H. Retrospective review of factors associated with severe hospitalised community-acquired influenza in a tertiary paediatric hospital in South Australia. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2016;10(6):479-85. 

12. Clarke M, McIntyre PB, Blyth CC, Wood N, Octavia S, Sintchenko V, et al. The relationship between Bordetella pertussis genotype and clinical severity in Australian children with pertussis. J Infect. 2016;72(2):171-8. 

13. Wong CY, Thomas NJ, Clarke M, Boros C, Tuckerman J, Marshall HS. Maternal uptake of pertussis cocooning strategy and other pregnancy related recommended immunizations. Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics. 2015;11(5):1165-72. 

14. Marshall H, Clarke M, Rasiah K, Richmond P, Buttery J, Reynolds G, et al. Predictors of disease severity in children hospitalized for pertussis during an epidemic. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2015;34(4):339-45. 

15. Clarke M, Thomas N, Giles L, Marshall H. Community awareness and predictors of uptake of pertussis booster vaccine in South Australian adults. Vaccine. 2015;33(51):7337-43. 

16. Wang B, Clarke M, Thomas N, Howell S, Afzali HH, Marshall H. The clinical burden and predictors of sequelae following invasive meningococcal disease in Australian children. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2014;33(3):316-8. 

17. Wang B, Clarke M, Afzali HH, Marshall H. Community, parental and adolescent awareness and knowledge of meningococcal disease. Vaccine. 2014;32(18):2042-9. 

18. Marshall H, Clarke M, Sullivan T. Parental and community acceptance of the benefits and risks associated with meningococcal B vaccines. Vaccine. 2014;32(3):338-44. 

19. Marshall HS, Clarke MF, Evans S, Piotto L, Gent RJ. Randomized trial using ultrasound to assess intramuscular vaccination at a 60 degrees or 90 degrees needle angle. Vaccine. 2013;31(23):2647-52. 

20. Clarke MF, Rasiah K, Copland J, Watson M, Koehler AP, Dowling K, et al. The pertussis epidemic: informing strategies for prevention of severe disease. Epidemiol Infect. 2013;141(3):463-71. 

21. Clarke M, Marshall H. Rotavirus vaccination for prevention of serious acute gastroenteritis and the importance of postlicensure safety monitoring. J Infect Dis. 2012;206(1):3-5. 

22. Clarke MF, Davidson GP, Gold MS, Marshall HS. Direct and indirect impact on rotavirus positive and all-cause gastroenteritis hospitalisations in South Australian children following the introduction of rotavirus vaccination. Vaccine.2011;29(29-30):4663-7. 

23. Marshall HS, Gold MS, Gent R, Quinn PJ, Piotto L, Clarke MF, et al. Ultrasound examination of extensive limb swelling reactions after diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis or reduced-antigen content diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis immunization in preschool-aged children. Pediatrics. 2006;118(4):1501-9.

Succcessful grants prepared/awarded

1. July 2020 – COVID impact support. Robinson Research Institute: $20,000. M Clarke.

2. Jan 2020-Jul 2021: Antibiotics and Immune Responses (AIR). WCH Foundation. $100,000. Investigators: Clarke M, Marshall H, Lynn D.

3. June 2018- Dec 2021: Optimising protection for pregnant women and infants with maternal vaccination n (OPTIWIN). Awarded $100,500. Sanofi IISP FLU00063. Investigators: Clarke M, Marshall H, Giles L, Barr I.

4. Nov 2016 -Jun 2017: Invest for success: A clinical study to determine whether antibiotic driven neonatal intestinal dysbiosis is associated with impaired vaccine responses. Awarded $30,000. Investigators H Marshall, L Giles, M Clarke.

5. November 2015- Dec 2016: Respiratory illnesses in pregnancy. RRI seed funding. Awarded $25,000

Investigators: Clarke M, Coat S, Roberts C, Hague B, Mol B, Marshall H.

6. Jan 2014-Jun 2015: Does obesity in pregnancy impact on immune response to influenza vaccines? WCH foundation grant. 2013 Awarded $52,762

Investigators: H Marshall, S Lambert, M Clarke, I Barr, R Gent

7. Jan 2014-Dec 2014: Incorporating young people’s views into priority setting for preventative health strategies to improve the health of adolescents. Channel 7 . 2013 Awarded $74,000.

Investigators: H Marshall, A Braunack-Mayer, J Ratcliffe

8. Jul 2012-Jun 2014. Impact of pneumococcal vaccination on Invasive Pneumococcal Disease– Funding approved by Pfizer IIR program. 2012 Awarded $70,500.

Investigators: H Marshall, M Clarke, T Tran.

9. Jul 2011-Jul 2012. Invasive Meningococcal Disease and Impact of Sequealae in South Australian children – Funding approved by Novartis. 2011 Awarded $53,600.

Investigators: H Marshall, M Clarke, N Thomas.

10. Jun 2011 –Jun 2013. Rotavirus Impact – An observational, cross-sectional, cohort study to assess the impact of the rotavirus vaccine introduction on severe gastroenteritis in South Australian children. Applied under Merck IISP, Proposal #38070. 2011 Awarded $97,254.

Investigators: H Marshall, M Clarke M Gold, G Davidson.

1. Immunogenicity of influenza vaccination in children and adolescents with and without obesity. Communicable diseases and Immunisation conference, 21 June 2022

2. Prevalence and aetiology of respiratory illnesses during pregnancy, PHAA 17th National Immunisation Conference, 29th June-1st July 2021

3. Respiratory illnesses during pregnancy, INMIS, Canada, 15-19th September 2019

4. Factors affecting vaccine responses in pregnancy, INMIS, Canada, 15-19th September 2019

5. Associations between BMI and vaccine responses in pregnancy- oral. ESPID, Slovenia 5-9th May 2019

6.  Overview of VIRTU flu vaccine research program. SA health care workers vaccination coordinator workshop. Adelaide, 21 march 2019

7. Vaccine responses in pregnancy. PHAA, 5-7th June, 2018

8. Severe and complicated varicella post introduction of a one dose varicella vaccination program – oral. ESPID, Spain, 25-27th May 2017

9. Design and analysis of clinical trials. Lecture. SPRH honours series. 11 March 2016, 02 Mar 2017

10. Clinical Experimental Design. Lecture SPRH B. Health Sciences; 6 March 2014, 3 March 2016, 28 Jul 2017

11. Clinical Severity comparisons between pertactin deficient and pertactin positive Bordetella pertussis variants – travelling poster presentation. Robinson Institute Symposium, 4th November 2015

12. Respiratory illnesses during pregnancy. Robinson Institute Seed Funding proposal presentation, 26th October 2015

13. Clinical Severity comparisons between pertactin deficient and pertactin positive Bordetella pertussis variants - poster. University of Adelaide Florey Post graduate Conference, 24th Sept 2015

14. Clinical Severity comparisons between pertactin deficient and pertactin positive Bordetella pertussis variants - oral presentation. Communicable Diseases Conference, Brisbane, 1st June 2015.

15. Pertussis; a continuing challenge; Robinson Institute Symposium – invited oral presentation, 6th November 2014

16. Community knowledge and uptake of booster pertussis vaccination – poster. Robinson Institute Symposium, 6th November 2014

17. Prevention of serious influenza infection in children. University of Adelaide seminar series. 5 Sep 2013.

18. Depth of Vaccine Administration Study. Oral presentation. Public Health Association of Australia 13th National Immunisation conference, Darwin 16-19th June 2012

19. Invasive Pneumococcal Disease & Indigenous status post introduction of 7-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine in South Australian children – poster presentation. ESPID. Greece, 8-12th May 2012

20. The Pertussis Epidemic: Informing strategies for prevention of severe disease – poster presentation (number #52), World Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases. Melbourne 16th-19th November 2011

21. The Pertussis Epidemic in South Australia and Severity of Pertussis in Australian Children– Oral presentation, WCH Friends Conference and Annual General Meeting, 9th August 2011

22. Battling the Bugs –what’s working and what could be done better to control childhood infectious diseases. Research Tuesday, University of Adelaide; 14th June 2011. Oral presentation – co-presenter with H Marshall and R Tooher.

23. ‘Gastroenteritis admissions in vaccinated and unvaccinated children in South Australia following introduction of rotavirus vaccination’ - oral presentation- Public Health Association of Australia 12th National Immunisation conference, Adelaide 2010.

24. ‘Effective recruitment strategies for Paediatric Vaccine Trials’ – poster presentation - Clinical Research Excellence conference, Brisbane 2008

25. ‘A successful partnership for immunisation research; the link between industry, academia and government’ - poster presentation-Clinical Research Excellence conference, Melbourne, 2007

26. ‘Good Clinical Practice - hints and tips for study coordinators’ - oral presentation -GSK invited speaker, Sydney 2004

27. ‘Investigating the biological activity of Scaevola Spinescens’ - oral presentation - AIMS Annual General Meeting, Adelaide, 1997

Student supervision/mentoring

Honours:

2017 - Brianna Morello (first class hons)

2016 - Hassen Mohammed (first class hons)

2013 - Nerissa Lakhan, (first class hons)

Research elective students:

2015  - Isabel Marshall and Hassen Mohammed

2014 -  Kathryn Riley & Emma Tregoweth

University of Adelaide

lectures/tutorials

2016-2023: Clinical research design/Vaccines and vaccination policy (BHealthSc)

2016-2022: Infectious Diseases and Immunity/Vaccination (Paediatrics3000)

Invited Peer Reviewer for the following journals

Journal of Infectious Diseases;

World Journal of Pediatrics;

Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology;

BMJ;

Vaccine

Vaccines

Updated Dec 2023