Targeting Hepatitis C Elimination

This PhD project will use mathematical modelling and health economic evaluation to assess hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination strategies in Australian community and prison settings. The candidate will evaluate interventions, including testing, treatment, harm reduction and reinfection prevention, to estimate their impact on HCV transmission, cost-effectiveness, implementation requirements and contribution to WHO elimination targets.

Findings will inform Australia’s HCV cascade of care estimates and policy planning. The candidate will join an internationally recognised, multidisciplinary team led by Dr Amy Kwon, who leads national HCV estimation in Australia, A/Prof Richard Gray, Head of the Mathematical Epidemiology and Evaluation Research Group; Dr Brad Mathers, an expert in epidemiology, surveillance and harm reduction; and Professor Matthew Hickman of the University of Bristol, an international leader in HCV modelling and interventions for people who inject drugs.

This international collaboration offers training, methodological exchange and research placement opportunities. The project will strengthen Australia’s HCV elimination response and generate transferable evidence for other countries.