Dr Ian Barr is the Deputy Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza located in Melbourne, Australia. The Centre is one of 5 WHO Influenza Collaborating Centres for Influenza in the world; the others are located at NIMR in London, CDC in Atlanta and the NIID in Tokyo, CNIC in Bejing. The Centre plays an active role in regional influenza surveillance and performs detailed analysis of influenza viruses including detailed gene sequencing, antigenic analysis and antiviral resistance testing. The Centre also advises WHO and the Australian Government on vaccine composition and pandemic influenza issues
Dr Barr has had over 30 years experience in Research and Development both in academic institutes and at CSL Limited on various topics such as vaccine development, mucosal immunology, adjuvants, cancer therapeutics, immune system development and diagnostics. Since July 2000 he has been working solely on influenza at the WHO Centre and has authored or co-authored over 70 publications on various aspects of influenza. Dr Barr is also an Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Faculty of Science, School of Applied Science, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.