For his contributions to parasitology and the ASP, Brian Cooke is a deserving recipient of the award of Fellow of the Australian Society for Parasitology.
Citation
We would like to nominate Brian Cooke as a Fellow of the Australian Society for Parasitology based on his outstanding scientific contributions, leadership, and his impact to the disciple of parasitology, and to the Australian Society for Parasitology, over a period of about 30 years. Below, we detail the basis for the nomination.
Professor Brian M. Cooke began his career with a Ph.D. from Birmingham University in 1993. He ran a successful laboratory at Monash University for many years and is currently as an Adjunct Professor at the Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine and Health at James Cook University. He has been a Member of the Australian Society for Parasitology since 1995 and served as an Officer of Council through his role as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal for Parasitology (IJP) since 2015.
As detailed below, Brian has made pioneering research contributions in i) the biomechanics of malaria parasite-infected red blood cells, ii) the function of exported proteins of malaria parasites, and iii) elucidation of molecular mechanisms of parasite-host interactions. More recently, he has made important contributions to studies of Babesia.
Malaria, caused by infection with Plasmodium spp. parasites, is responsible for severe morbidity, mortality and socio-economic hardship in many areas of the world, particularly Africa. During intraerythrocytic development the host red blood cell membrane is modified in ways that enhance cytoadherence vascular endothelium, leading to complications of placental and cerebral malaria. Brian made important technology developments and research findings that have underpinned our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie the severe and often fatal pathophysiological consequences of human malaria infection.
Brian’s innovations include technologies for measuring the adhesion of flowing malaria parasite-infected red blood cells and technologies for measuring mechanical properties of malaria parasite-infected red blood cells. These novel technologies allowed Brian and colleagues to understand how parasite proteins modify the red blood cell membrane and how they interact with each other and the host to cause severe disease in humans. His lab generated transgenic malaria parasites and analysed the rheological effects of different red blood cell modifying proteins.
Some of his important publications in this area include: Crabb, Cooke et al (Cell, 1997) in which it was shown that knobs enable malaria-infected red cells to cytoadhere under physiological shear stress; Cooke et al. Blood (1996) and Glenister … Cooke (Blood 2002), in which contributions of parasite proteins to altered mechanical properties of malaria-infected red blood cells were deciphered; Cooke et al (British Journal of Haematology, 2002), in which a competitive flow-based assay was developed and used to assign functional roles to parasite proteins; and Cooke et al. (Journal of Cell Biology) in which a Maurer’s
cleft protein was shown to be essential for expression of the major malaria virulence antigen on the surface of infected red blood cells.
In recent years, Brian and colleagues have made several key studies of Babesia bovis, which cause significant global economic impact in animals. His work has helped elucidate the altered mechanical properties of on Babesia bovis-infected red blood cells and facilitated the development of transmission-blocking vaccines against Babesia bovis Br. J. Haematology, 2020) (NPJ Vaccines, 2023), including the use of Mycobacterium bovis BCG enhanced immunity (Vaccines 2022).
As indicated in the attached biosketch CV, the significance of Brian’s work has been recognised by extensive national and international competitive research funding, three patents, six major book chapters, and more than 90 publications in high impact generalist journals of such as Cell, Nature Med, Nature Reviews Microbiology, EMBO Journal and J. Cell Biol, as well as in the top discipline-specific journals including J Biol Chem, Mol Microbiol, IJP, and Blood. Brian has been invited to speak at more than 20 international conferences including as invited Plenary Lecturer at the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology in New Zealand, FEBS Special Lecturer at the EMBO/ESF/FEBS Conference on Macromolecular Complexes in Microbial Pathogenesis in Spain, ISCH/ISB Conference on Clinical Hemorheology in Istanbul, Turkey and most recently at the ESCH/ISCH/ISB Inaugural Conference in Cracow, Poland.
Brian has made outstanding contributions to the Society through his long-standing service to the International Journal for Parasitology (IJP). Appointed Deputy Editor in 2011 then Editor-in-Chief in 2016, Brian has since steered the journal’s strategic direction, scope and editorial standards, ensuring the publication of high-quality, peer-reviewed research across all domains of basic and applied parasitology.
Under his leadership, IJP has become the highest impact factor-ranked journal dedicated to the full breadth of parasitology, solidifying its status as the premier specialist journal in the field. Brian has upheld a rigorous peer-review process, fostered scientific integrity and set benchmarks for excellence and innovation within our discipline. His editorial philosophy reflects a deep commitment to the global parasitology community and a belief in the transformative potential of research from all corners of the world. Brian’s dedication to IJP is also reflected in his commitment to the journal’s visual identity. He has championed the creation of artistic journal covers that have become highly sought after by authors, serving as an additional form of recognition for the impact of their studies. These covers have helped broaden the journal’s appeal to a diverse audience and reinforce the visibility and accessibility of parasitology research.
Brian has played a pivotal role in strengthening the journal’s partnership with Elsevier, which has significantly contributed to the financial sustainability of our Society. Between 2014 and 2023, IJP generated A$2,465,467 in revenue for the Australian Society for Parasitology (ASP), enabling our Society to host annual meetings, support student travel and teaching grants, and fund a wide range of initiatives aligned with ASP’s renewed mission.
Beyond financial stewardship, Brian has introduced several impactful initiatives under the IJP banner. He has commissioned and edited numerous highly cited Special Issues, expanded the journal’s visibility through social media and outreach activities, and actively engaged with early-career researchers through
publishing workshops and networking events. His efforts have elevated IJP’s profile through the establishment of IJP-Elsevier-ASP prizes and awards. Since 2011, IJP has provided some A$62,000 in support for over 22 national and international meetings, sponsoring IJP-named sessions, prizes and awards.
Brian has been a passionate advocate for equity and inclusion in parasitology. He championed the IJP-Elsevier-ASP Disadvantaged Researcher Award, which has enabled researchers from under-resourced regions to attend the Concepts in Parasitology course since 2019. He has also been a strong supporter of Women in Parasitology initiatives, further demonstrating his commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive scientific community.
In the light of these contributions to parasitology and our Society, we enthusiastically nominate Brian Cooke as a Fellow of the Australian Society for Parasitology.
Leann Tilley FASP
Geoff McFadden FAA FASM FASP
