Dr Janessa is a Research Fellow in the Group A Streptococcus Pathogenesis and Diagnostics team (The Kids Research Institute), and holds a University of Western Australia adjunct position. Her expertise is in the molecular diagnostics and host pathogen interactions of upper respiratory tract pathogens that cause disease in children including Neisseria meningitis, Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Her current research is focused on the colonisation and infection of group A Streptococcus in paediatric populations and discovering new ways to prevent infectious complications including rheumatic heart disease. She holds two current NHMRC Ideas grants and a Stan Perron Charitable Foundation Fellowship, and leads a team of postdocs, students and research assistants. She is passionate about genuine consumer involvement in research, developing the next generation of researchers and research advocacy (Western Australian Cardiovascular Research Alliance Board Chair).