Person
Fischer, Katja
- Occupation
- Parasitologist
Summary
Katja Fischer is a parasitologist internationally recognised as a leader in scabies research. Her work has led to innovative approaches to diagnosis, treatment and disease control. She focuses on understanding the molecular interactions of scabies mite molecules with host defence systems in the skin. This has led to major advances in treatment of scabies, including identifying potential drugs, and productive international partnerships. Fischer was a founding member and Lead Scientific Advisor of the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies (IACS). She has received several awards for her research.
Details
Chronology
- 1991
- Education - Diploma in Biology/Parasitology, University of Freiburg, Germany
- 1998 -
- Career position - Research Officer (later Senior research Officer), QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
- 1998
- Life event - Migrated to Australia
- 1998
- Education - PhD, University of Wurzburg, Germany
- 2013 - 2018
- Award - ARC Future Fellowship
- 2014 -
- Career position - Head, Scabies Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
- 2016
- Career position - Member, Organising Committee, International Congress for Tropical Medicine and Malaria, Brisbane
- 2019 - 2023
- Award - National Health and Medical Research Council Senior Research Fellow
- 2020
- Award - Bancroft Mackerras Medal, Australian Society for Parasitology
- 2026 -
- Award - Fellow, Australian Society for Parasitology
- 2026
- Career position - President-Elect, Australian Society for Parasitology
- 2026
- Award - Bridget Ogilvie Medal, Australian Society for Parasitology
Related entries
Published resources
Journal Articles
- Anon, 'Katja Fischer, winner of the 2020 Bancroft-Mackerras Medal for Excellence', Newsletter, Australian Society for Parasitology, 31 (4) (2020), 11-2. Details
Helen Cohn
Created: 8 October 2026