The Kids Research Institute Australia Lecture 2025

We are delighted to invite you to The Kids Research Institute Australia Lecture to attend ‘Not just a sore throat: The race to stop one of the deadliest bugs on the planet’ presented by Professor Jonathan Carapetis AM Executive Director, The Kids Research Institute Australia (The Kids).

Jonathan is also a Fellow at the Australian Academy of Sciences and Australian Academy of Health & Medical Sciences; a Paediatrician; and Infectious Diseases and Public Health Physician, with a research passion to understand Strep A infections in Australia and worldwide.

What is Strep A?

Strep A is a relatively common bacterium that for most, causes a mild illness of the throat and skin. However, some individuals are more susceptible to severe illnesses including sepsis, flesh-eating disease, and chronic heart disease – and it is the cause of roughly 500,000 deaths each year. The Strep A bacterium is easily spread and like many infectious diseases, disproportionately affects infants and the elderly, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people with a low immune system or chronic disease.

For more than 30 years, Professor Carapetis has been at the forefront of the global effort to understand Strep A diseases, pioneering research and developing treatments to improve the health of Australia’s First Nations people and those in developing countries who are most at risk. His work is one of the largest Strep A research programs in Australia, with more than 80 students and staff committed to eradicating the illness and death caused by this deadly bug.

Join us to hear from Jonathan about his vital research in this space as he delivers his Lecture on Tuesday 6, May 2025, at the elegant Adelaide Town Hall.

There will be a reception following the Lecture to network and continue the conversation over substantial canapés and refreshments.

We look forward to welcoming you to our world of research.

If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact us at rsvp@thekids.org.au

This is an in-person event only.