Professor Julie Bines Wins 2021 Eureka Prize for Rotavirus Vaccine Research
Professor Julie Bines, a paediatric gastroenterologist at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital and University of Melbourne, received the 2021 Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research. Her work focuses on developing the RV3-BB rotavirus vaccine to combat diarrhoeal disease in children, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to existing vaccines remains limited. Bines' research builds on decades of study since rotavirus was identified in the 1970s, aiming to provide protection from birth. She also advocates for gender equity in global health leadership through the Women in Global Health Network's Australian Chapter.
Key facts
- Professor Julie Bines won the 2021 Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research
- She leads development of the RV3-BB rotavirus vaccine for newborns in low- and middle-income countries
- Rotavirus causes severe diarrhoea and remains a major killer of children under one year old globally
- Approximately 45% of children worldwide lack access to rotavirus vaccines due to cost and logistical barriers
- Bines advocates for addressing gender inequity in global health leadership roles
Entities
Institutions
- Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne
- University of Melbourne
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute
- World Health Organization
- Boston Children's Hospital
- Harvard Medical School
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Locations
- Melbourne
- Australia
- Boston
- USA
- Asia
- Africa