Ana Traven

Biography

Ana started her own research group at Monash University in 2009, where she is an Associate Professor and Head of the Laboratory for fungal pathogenesis. Microbial pathogens are responsible for millions of deaths globally, with raising concerns over resistance to available therapies. In addition to bacteria and bacterial “superbugs”, fungal pathogens are another important class of microbes which have become prevalent killers, particularly of immunocompromised and severely ill people. Ana’s research moved into the field of human fungal pathogens, focusing on the yeast Candida albicans. The Traven lab is studying how Candida mounts counter-attacks against host immune defences, as well as building molecular knowledge of the fundamental cellular mechanisms that drive fungal virulence and susceptibility to antifungal treatments.