Shelley Cavezza

Biography

Associate Professor Cavezza (Walton) has greater than 15 years' experience in scabies research and Indigenous health. Her work has focused on the integration of laboratory based research with clinical and public health initiatives in skin health. This articulation between laboratory and public health has been extremely productive and allowed the translation of research findings into improved clinical practice. This includes directing studies on the clinical immunology of crusted scabies; the development of an immunodiagnostic test for scabies; tea tree oil as a potential natural therapy for scabies; molecular mechanisms of scabies mite resistance to current treatments; identification of scabies mite and house dust mite cross reactive allergens and their potential role in disease development and/or protection.

Research Interest

Current studies are aimed towards improved understanding on the immunological interactions of inflammation, allergy, and infectious skin diseases leading to the development of novel immunotherapeutics and diagnostics. Studies are linked to translational improvements in health outcomes for disadvantaged populations.