Rate My Professor Dominic Dwyer

Professor Dominic E. Dwyer, MD, FRACP, FRCPA, is a clinical professor of Medicine for Immunology and Infectious Diseases at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Medicine and Health. A leading medical virologist and infectious diseases physician, he spent nearly 42 years at NSW Health Pathology’s Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research (ICPMR) at Westmead Hospital, where he directed public health pathology services and led the World Health Organization (WHO) National Influenza Centre. His training commenced in microbiology and virology at Westmead Hospital in 1986, leading to his graduation as a medical microbiologist in 1997. Dwyer conducted postgraduate research on HIV/AIDS at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, France, establishing his expertise in molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases.

Dwyer's research focuses on virology and infectious diseases, including HIV drug resistance, influenza, respiratory viruses such as RSV, flaviviruses like Japanese encephalitis virus, and SARS-CoV-2. He has authored over 640 publications, amassing more than 21,000 citations. Key contributions include investigations into off-season RSV epidemics in Australia following COVID-19 restrictions (2022), the emergence of Japanese encephalitis virus genotype IV in Australia (2022), and genomic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants under vaccine pressure. He played critical roles in pandemic responses, including molecular testing advancements for HIV over three decades, SARS management in China, and COVID-19 diagnostics and origins investigation as a member of the WHO international team in Wuhan in 2020. As a trusted advisor, he represented pathology services in media, conferences, and government consultations. Major honors include the Public Service Medal (PSM) in 2022, Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite from France in 2021, Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (FAHMS) in 2022, and an Honourable Mention in the 2021 NSW Public Servant of the Year awards. Dwyer retired in December 2023.