Chiara Drago

Chiara has a keen interest in microbiology and vaccines, and through her research, endeavours to improve vaccine design to aid in the fight against malaria. 

Chiara undertook her Biomedical Science Honours year with Burnet in 2022. She identified monoclonal antibodies against malaria that may promote immune functions associated with protection against severe disease. She furthered this work as a research assistant at Burnet, where she investigated synergistic effects between monoclonal antibodies, potentially increasing their effectiveness as a treatment or prophylaxis for malaria, or to inform vaccine design.

• 2022–2023: Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours), Monash University
• 2019–2021: Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Monash University

• 2025–present: Research Assistant, Burnet Institute
• 2024: Customer Service Representative ANZ, New England Biolabs
• 2023: Research Assistant, Burnet Institute

• 2023: Presented a long talk at VIIN Young Investigator Symposium
• 2023: Presented a long talk at Malaria in Melbourne conference
• 2022: Recipient of the People's Choice Award in the Burnet Student Symposium