Dr Larissa Dirr is a globally recognised glycovirologist and structural biologist whose research has generated new insights and therapeutic approaches to combat respiratory viruses with epidemic and pandemic potential. She is a Senior Research Fellow and former NHMRC Fellow at Griffith University’s Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics, where she leads an innovative research program investigating virus-host glycan interactions and the role of viral glycoproteins in infection and transmission. Her research integrates virology, glycoscience, structural biology, and drug discovery to translate fundamental discoveries into novel antiviral candidates.
Dr Dirr completed a Master’s degree in Natural Product Chemistry at the University of California San Diego, USA, before undertaking a PhD in Virology and Structural Biology at Griffith University under the supervision of Professor Mark von Itzstein. Early in her career, she generated key mechanistic insights that underpinned a novel class of human parainfluenza virus inhibitors and was a co-inventor of the foundational patent. This technology was subsequently commercialised through a major industry co-development and licensing agreement. As lead structural virologist for the program, she contributed to the advancement of two additional international patent families, supporting the development of what may become the first effective antiviral therapy for human parainfluenza virus infections.
As a founding member and Principal Investigator of the International Consortium for Anti-Infective Research (iCAIR®), Dr Dirr has played a key role in strengthening scientific partnerships between Australia and Germany and accelerating anti-infective drug discovery through international collaboration. In recognition of her contributions, she received the Ross Smith Early Career Research Medal in 2022 and the Australian Glycoscience Society Early Career Award in 2025. A passionate advocate for women in STEM, she is committed to supporting students and early-career researchers through mentoring and professional development initiatives, including the Glycomics Circle.
