Concurrent Session 3B: Clinical priorities from treatment to long-term liver health
Tracks
Track 2
| Thursday, August 13, 2026 |
| 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM |
Speaker
Dr Shane Tillakeratne
Research Associate
Kirby Institute
A Decade of Direct Acting Antiviral therapy: Trends in hepatitis C Treatment Completion, Discontinuation, and Retreatment in Australia, 2018–2024
2:20 PM - 2:32 PMBiography
Shane is a Research Associate in the Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program at the Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney. His epidemiological research focuses on population-level analyses of hepatitis B- and C-related outcomes, using linked administrative data to inform public health responses and monitor progress toward viral hepatitis elimination.
Mr Jack Wallace
Senior Research Officer
Burnet Institute
“It’s such a nasty virus”. Hepatitis D mapping project (a.k.a. “A Situational analysis to identify the priorities for a hepatitis D public health response in the Asia Pacific”)
2:35 PM - 2:47 PMBiography
Jack has worked across community, government and research sectors to reduce the personal and community impacts of blood borne viruses, particularly viral hepatitis. Prior to his research career, he established Hepatitis Australia, the national peak organisation representing people living with viral hepatitis, serving as Executive Officer from 1998 to 2005.
Ms Rubby Leiwia Dick
Medical Laboratory Officer
Vanuatu National Referral Hospital
High viremia among a sample of HBsAg-positive pregnant women in Vanuatu
2:50 PM - 2:53 PMBiography
Leiwia has worked as a laboratory officer at Vila Central Hospital, now Vanuatu National Referral Hospital, for nearly 10 years. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in laboratory medicine at RMIT.
Victoria Polkinghorne
Data Scientist
Burnet Institute
Hepatitis D prevalence and testing patterns among Australians with hepatitis B
2:55 PM - 2:58 PMBiography
Victoria Polkinghorne is a Research Fellow at the Burnet Institute with a PhD in Medical Sciences from ANU. She is a data scientist on the ACCESS project, working across hepatitis B and other STIs and BBVs with expertise in data wrangling, analysis, and developing interpretation tools and dashboards.
Dr Jacqui Richmond
Nurse Researcher
Burnet Institute
Exploring enablers and barriers to HCC surveillance among people who inject drugs with hepatitis C-related cirrhosis: a qualitative study
3:00 PM - 3:03 PMBiography
Jacqui is a registered nurse with a PhD working at the Burnet Institute in the Eliminate hepatitis C Australia partnership. Jacqui is recognised for her work in developing nurse-led models of care for marginalised communities. Her work highlights the importance of workforce development and interprofessional collaboration in viral hepatitis elimination.
Dr Jacqui Richmond
Nurse Researcher
Burnet Institute
Clinically Essential, Operationally Difficult: Health worker insights into delivering HCC Surveillance for People Who Inject Drugs
3:05 PM - 3:08 PMBiography
Jacqui Richmond is a registered nurse with a PhD working at the Burnet in the Eliminate hepatitis C Australia partnership. Jacqui is recognised for her work in developing nurse-led models of care for marginalised communities. Her work highlights the importance of workforce development and interprofessional collaboration in viral hepatitis elimination.
Megan Collins
Nurse Clinical Lead
Liver Foundation
From Isolation to Integration: A National Model for Liver Cancer and Cirrhosis Support
3:10 PM - 3:13 PMBiography
Megan is the Nurse Clinical Lead for Liver Foundation’s Primary Liver Cancer tele-support service. With over 20 years experience, she developed the HCC nursing role at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Megan is passionate about breaking down barriers associated with liver disease and making information and support accessible to all.
