IMPACT REPORT 2021

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2021, we entered the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. There was no timeline for COVID-19, no end date yet.
But we knew this: our scientists remained resolute in their search for answers to better understand this infectious disease and learn the lessons so that we can be better prepared for the next one.
A joint venture between the University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute) was purpose-built to bring together experts in infectious diseases and immunology in order to find solutions to prevent, treat and cure infectious diseases.
Our 2021 Impact Report is replete with stories of our research, clinical, public health and teaching successes identified through our themes and cross-cutting disciplines. It includes personal narratives by some of our staff and is punctuated by the many achievements of the Institute in 2021.
The Doherty Institute continues to be at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic response, by leading in mathematical modelling and contributing to understanding transmission through genomic sequencing, as well as working on diagnostics, vaccines and novel antiviral treatments.
Throughout the year, we sustained infection and immunity work beyond COVID-19, even as our staff and students continued to work and learn from home over a prolonged period under public health orders.
To navigate this report, simply scroll downwards or use the menu at the top of the screen to go directly to key sections. Throughout the report, which this year includes a financial summary, you can click through to linked stories to learn more about the breadth and depth of work that occurred during the year across our key research themes and cross-cutting disciplines.
Message from the Director
If I were to give the story of 2021 a title, it would be ‘The Road Out of Lockdown and Toward a Very Bright Future’.
We now live relatively normal lives, and I am immensely proud of what the Doherty Institute achieved over that time.
Our role in the response to COVID evolved over 2021. Most prominent was our leadership in mathematical modelling, however, we continued to make major contributions to Australia’s COVID response, ranging from understanding the immune response to SARS-CoV-2, using genomics to understand transmission networks, to developing vaccines, and exploration of novel antiviral treatments.
Message from the Patron
At least for Australia, our Institute is structured in a way that has proven to be uniquely 'fit for purpose' during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the one hand, we house the 'immediate response' teams of infectious disease physicians (Victorian Infectious Disease Service, VIDS), and the sophisticated laboratory-based diagnosticians of the Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory (VIRDRL) and the Microbiology Diagnostic Unit (MDU). In the same building are the established academic researchers, emerging investigators and graduate and undergraduate students of two leading university departments - the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the Department of Infectious Diseases. One result has been, particularly in the human immunology area, outstanding research publications that benefit from synergies between these different areas of expertise.


2021 IN THE NUMBERS

50+
Research groups

890+
Staff

150+
Graduate researchers

20+
PhD graduations

35,700+
Media mentions

4
World Health Organization Collaborating Centres

27
Collaborating countries
AWARDS AND GRANTS
PUBLICATIONS

623
Doherty Institute
affiliated publications
FINANCIAL SUMMARY

$161.94m
Total annual income

$66.54m
Australian competitive grant income

$21.03m
Public sector funding

$3.87m
Philanthropic donations
INCOME BREAKDOWN

â–‡ Australian grant income
â–‡ Public sector funding
â–‡ Philanthropic donations
â–‡ Other Grant Income
â–‡ Service income
â–‡ Other Income

OUR WORK
Immunology
Viral Infectious Diseases
Antimicrobial Resistance
Bacterial and Parasitic Infections
Public Health
Clinical and Health Systems Research
Global Health
Computational Science and Genomics
Education and Professional Development
Indigenous Health
2021 reflections

OUR SUPPORTERS
Sincere thanks to our supporters whose generosity helped propel research and discoveries in diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics that will ultimately improve health globally and save lives.
Hear from our featured supporters the late Lionel Gell AM and Geoff Cumming.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS













Unveiling the SARS-COV-2 sculpture to acknowledge the dedication of our staff and graduate researchers, who worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic.
Unveiling the SARS-COV-2 sculpture to acknowledge the dedication of our staff and graduate researchers, who worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic.

Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty
Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty

SARS-CoV-2 sculpture
SARS-CoV-2 sculpture

Panel discussion at event, Covid-19 vaccines: your questions answered
Panel discussion at event, Covid-19 vaccines: your questions answered

Doherty Institute Graduate Researcher Symposium
Doherty Institute Graduate Researcher Symposium

Doherty Institute Virtual Open Day
Doherty Institute Virtual Open Day

Organoids Are Us (OrU)
Organoids Are Us (OrU)

Organoids Are Us (OrU) behind the scenes
Organoids Are Us (OrU) behind the scenes

Genomics Gone Viral Symposium
Genomics Gone Viral Symposium

Doherty Institute expands mobile diagnostic testing fleet.
Doherty Institute expands mobile diagnostic testing fleet.

Doherty Institute expands mobile diagnostic testing fleet.
Doherty Institute expands mobile diagnostic testing fleet.

AIID Foundation Partner representatives sign agreement.
AIID Foundation Partner representatives sign agreement.
GOVERNANCE
The Doherty Institute is a joint venture between The University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, with a governance structure that supports integration and fosters collaboration, strong leadership and management, creating a unified organisation.