Named after Professor Frank Fenner, an Australian pioneer of viral research, the Frank Fenner award is the peak research award from the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID). It is awarded annually on the basis of a portfolio of original research in infectious diseases.
Professor Josh Davis is a senior principal research fellow at Menzies and an infectious diseases physician at Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital. He is also the past President of ASID.
Accepting the Award at the virtual Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID) Annual Scientific Meeting, Professor Davis said it was a tremendous honour to receive the award.
“I am extremely grateful to the funders and supporters of my research who recognise the importance of improving the evidence base for the treatment of severe bacterial infections," Professor Davis said.
The 2021 Judging Panel comprised three eminent ASID members. The panel said the calibre of applicants was of an extremely high standard and an indication of the quality of researchers in Australia.
Despite completing his PhD only ten years ago, Professor Davis is one of Australia’s leading clinical trialists in the field of clinical infectious diseases, undertaking and publishing research of international quality that address key questions in infectious diseases. This included the CAMERA2 trial into treatments into combination antibiotics for Staphylococcus aureus (“golden staph”) bloodstream infection, published in JAMA.
"It’s a tremendous honour to be receiving this award. It's a testament to the outstanding work of my research teams and collaborators, and the valuable contribution that the NHMRC and other funding agencies have made to my research,” Professor Davis said.