Overview
Background
Dr Helen Mayfield is an interdisciplinary researcher whose work lies at the intersection of epidemiology, infectious diseases and environmental conservation. With a decade of experience studying zoonotic and vector-borne diseases, she employs advanced data modelling techniques like Bayesian networks and spatial models to explore the environmental drivers of disease. Helen holds a PhD in machine learning for environmental management. Her research focus is on refining and testing new disease surveillance methods and strategies, such as molecular xenomonitoring of mosquitoes, and targeted sampling to combat lymphatic filariasis in the Pacific islands. In addition, her current project collaborating with the NSW Saving our Species programme aims to facilitate adaptive management for threatened species using structured expert knowledge to improve decision outcomes for biodiversity.
Helen teaches in courses for conservation planning and practice, and conservation policy. She is currently president of the Bayesian Network Modelling Association and a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Decision Science Working Group.
Availability
- Dr Helen Mayfield is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Member, Australasian Bayesian Network Society, Australasian Bayesian Network Society
- Member, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science
- Collaboration / Affiliation, Griffith University Systems Modelling Group, Griffith University Systems Modelling Group
- Associate Fellow, QUT Centre for Data Science, QUT Centre for Data Science
Research interests
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Improving indicator selection and design
In both conservation science and infectious disease epidemiology, what we measure and how, will affect how accurately we detect changes in the system. This could be as part of a threatened species management plan or for informing programmatic decisions for disease elimination. By exploring alternative indicators and sampling methods, we can improve our understanding of the system to informed management decisions.
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Linking local environments to infectious disease risk
The environment where we live and work can affect our exposure to vector-borne or zoonotic diseases. This potentially creates win-win scenarios where we can optimise interventions so that they benefit both people and nature.
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Decision support and analysis tools
Tools and models that help to structure and analyse data from a range of sources including academic studies, monitoring and expert elicitation can facilitate informed decision making. This is equally true in data-rich and data-poor scenarios. Using the right modelling technique to suit the problem at hand, and making the tool user-friendly for the intended audience are crucial for ensuring the product is fit-for-purpose
Works
Search Professor Helen Mayfield’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Spatial multilevel analysis of individual, household, and community factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the Dominican Republic
Kiani, Behzad, Sartorius, Benn, Martin, Beatris Mario, Cadavid Restrepo, Angela, Mayfield, Helen J., Paulino, Cecilia Then, Jarolim, Petr, De St Aubin, Micheal, Ramm, Ronald Skews, Dumas, Devan, Garnier, Salome, Etienne, Marie Caroline, Peña, Farah, Abdalla, Gabriela, Kucharski, Adam, Duke, William, Baldwin, Margaret, Henríquez, Bernarda, de la Cruz, Lucia, Nilles, Eric J. and Lau, Colleen L. (2025). Spatial multilevel analysis of individual, household, and community factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the Dominican Republic. Scientific Reports, 15 (1) 11203. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-94653-3
2025
Journal Article
Progression of lymphatic filariasis antigenaemia and microfilaraemia over 4.5 years in antigen-positive individuals, Samoa 2019-2023
Mayfield, Helen J., Sartorius, Benn, Muttucumaru, Ramona, Sheridan, Sarah, Howlett, Maddison, Martin, Beatris Mario, Hedtke, Shannon M., Field, Emma, Thomsen, Robert, Viali, Satupaitea, Graves, Patricia M. and Lau, Colleen L. (2025). Progression of lymphatic filariasis antigenaemia and microfilaraemia over 4.5 years in antigen-positive individuals, Samoa 2019-2023. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 155 107891, 107891. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2025.107891
2025
Other Outputs
Code and data used to develop the Australian terrestrial bird communities typology
Indraswari, Karlina, Maron, Martine, Mayfield, Helen, Fraser, Hannah, Melton, Courtney and Mills-Anderson (2025). Code and data used to develop the Australian terrestrial bird communities typology. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/72ce678
2025
Journal Article
Spatial prediction of immunity gaps during a pandemic to inform decision making: A geostatistical case study of COVID-19 in Dominican Republic
Restrepo, Angela Cadavid, Martin, Beatris Mario, Mayfield, Helen J., Paulino, Cecilia Then, de St. Aubin, Michael, Duke, William, Jarolim, Petr, Oasan, Timothy, Gutierrez, Emily Zielinski, Ramm, Ronald Skewes, Dumas, Devan, Garnier, Salome, Etienne, Marie Caroline, Pena, Farah, Abdalla, Gabriela, Lopez, Beatriz, de la Cruz, Lucia, Henriquez, Bernarda, Baldwin, Margaret, Kucharski, Adam, Sartorius, Benn, Nilles, Eric J. and Lau, Colleen L. (2025). Spatial prediction of immunity gaps during a pandemic to inform decision making: A geostatistical case study of COVID-19 in Dominican Republic. Tropical Medicine and International Health. doi: 10.1111/tmi.14094
2025
Journal Article
A study protocol for developing a spatial vulnerability index for infectious diseases of poverty in the Caribbean region
Kiani, Behzad, Mario Martin, Beatris, Cadavid Restrepo, Angela, Mayfield, Helen J., Skinner, Eloise, Karina Maldonado Alcaíno, Ana, Nilles, Eric J., Lau, Colleen L. and Sartorius, Benn (2025). A study protocol for developing a spatial vulnerability index for infectious diseases of poverty in the Caribbean region. Global Health Action, 18 (1) 2461867, 2461867-1. doi: 10.1080/16549716.2025.2461867
2025
Journal Article
Sensitivity of anti-filarial antibodies for lymphatic filariasis surveillance: Insights from a serological survey in Samoa in 2018
Lawford, Harriet L. S., Sartorius, Benn, Mayfield, Helen J., Sam, Filipina Amosa-Lei, Viali, Satupaitea, Kamu, Tito, Thomsen, Robert and Lau, Colleen L. (2025). Sensitivity of anti-filarial antibodies for lymphatic filariasis surveillance: Insights from a serological survey in Samoa in 2018. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 19 (1) e0012835, 1-19. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012835
2025
Journal Article
Recurrence of microfilaraemia after triple-drug therapy for lymphatic filariasis in Samoa: recrudescence or reinfection?
Mayfield, Helen J., Muttucumaru, Ramona, Sartorius, Benn, Sheridan, Sarah, Ward, Selina, Martin, Beatris Mario, Hedtke, Shannon M., Thomsen, Robert, Viali, Satupaitea, Fatupaito, Glen, Lau, Colleen L. and Graves, Patricia M. (2025). Recurrence of microfilaraemia after triple-drug therapy for lymphatic filariasis in Samoa: recrudescence or reinfection?. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 152 107809, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2025.107809
2024
Journal Article
Epidemiology of lymphatic filariasis antigen and microfilaria in Samoa, 2019: 7–9 months post triple-drug mass administration
Mayfield, Helen J., Lawford, Harriet, Sartorius, Benn, Graves, Patricia M., Sheridan, Sarah, Kearns, Therese, Hedtke, Shannon M., Gass, Katherine, Naseri, Take, Thomsen, Robert and Lau, Colleen L. (2024). Epidemiology of lymphatic filariasis antigen and microfilaria in Samoa, 2019: 7–9 months post triple-drug mass administration. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 9 (12) 311, 1-13. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed9120311
2024
Journal Article
Seroepidemiology of human leptospirosis in the Dominican Republic: A multistage cluster survey, 2021
Nilles, Eric J., Paulino, Cecilia Then, Galloway, Renee, de St. Aubin, Michael, Mayfield, Helen J., Cadavid Restrepo, Angela, Dumas, Devan, Garnier, Salome, Etienne, Marie Caroline, Duke, William, Peña, Farah, Iihoshi, Naomi, Abdalla, Gabriela, Lopez, Beatriz, de la Cruz, Lucia, Henríquez, Bernarda, Durski, Kara, Baldwin, Margaret, Loevinsohn, Gideon, Rees, Eleanor M., Martin, Beatris, Sartorius, Benn, Skewes-Ramm, Ronald, Gutiérrez, Emily Zielinski, Kucharski, Adam and Lau, Colleen L. (2024). Seroepidemiology of human leptospirosis in the Dominican Republic: A multistage cluster survey, 2021. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 18 (12) e0012463, 1-17. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012463
2024
Journal Article
Molecular xenomonitoring as an indicator of microfilaraemia prevalence for lymphatic filariasis in Samoa in 2019
Howlett, Maddison, Mayfield, Helen J., McPherson, Brady, Rigby, Lisa, Thomsen, Robert, Williams, Steven A., Pilotte, Nils, Hedtke, Shannon M., Graves, Patricia M., Kearns, Therese, Naseri, Take, Sheridan, Sarah, McLure, Angus and Lau, Colleen L. (2024). Molecular xenomonitoring as an indicator of microfilaraemia prevalence for lymphatic filariasis in Samoa in 2019. Parasites and Vectors, 17 (1) 382. doi: 10.1186/s13071-024-06463-7
2024
Journal Article
Chikungunya outbreak risks after the 2014 outbreak, Dominican Republic
Loevinsohn, Gideon, Then Paulino, Cecilia, Spring, Jessica, Hughes, Holly R., Cadavid Restrepo, Angela, Mayfield, Helen, de St. Aubin, Michael, Laven, Janeen, Panella, Amanda, Duke, William, Etienne, Marie Caroline, Abdalla, Gabriela, Garnier, Salome, Iihoshi, Naomi, Lopez, Beatriz, de la Cruz, Lucia, Henríquez, Bernarda, Baldwin, Margaret, Peña, Farah, Kucharski, Adam J., Vasquez, Marietta, Zielinski Gutiérrez, Emily, Brault, Aaron C., Skewes-Ramm, Ronald, Lau, Colleen L. and Nilles, Eric J. (2024). Chikungunya outbreak risks after the 2014 outbreak, Dominican Republic. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 30 (12), 2679-2683. doi: 10.3201/eid3012.240824
2024
Journal Article
Using health literacy principles to improve understanding of evolving evidence in health emergencies: Optimisation and evaluation of a COVID-19 vaccination risk-benefit calculator
Bonner, Carissa, Taba, Melody, Fajardo, Michael Anthony, Batcup, Carys, Newell, Ben R., Li, Amy X., Mayfield, Helen J., Lau, Colleen L. and Litt, John C.B. (2024). Using health literacy principles to improve understanding of evolving evidence in health emergencies: Optimisation and evaluation of a COVID-19 vaccination risk-benefit calculator. Vaccine, 42 (24) 126296, 126296. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126296
2024
Journal Article
Convergence of SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody levels to a population immune setpoint
Nilles, Eric J., Roberts, Kathryn, de St Aubin, Michael, Mayfield, Helen, Restrepo, Angela Cadavid, Garnier, Salome, Abdalla, Gabriela, Etienne, Marie Caroline, Duke, William, Dumas, Devan, Jarolim, Petr, Oasan, Timothy, Peña, Farah, Lopez, Beatriz, Cruz, Lucia de la, Sanchez, Isaac Miguel, Murray, Kristy, Baldwin, Margaret, Skewes-Ramm, Ronald, Paulino, Cecilia Then, Lau, Colleen L. and Kucharski, Adam (2024). Convergence of SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody levels to a population immune setpoint. eBioMedicine, 108 105319. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105319
2024
Journal Article
Anti-filarial antibodies are sensitive indicators of lymphatic filariasis transmission and enable identification of high-risk populations and hotspots
Lawford, Harriet, Mayfield, Helen, Sam, Filipina Amosa-Lei, Viali, Satupaitea, Kamu, Tito, Cooley, Gretchen, Simon, Ashley, Martin, Diana and Lau, Colleen L. (2024). Anti-filarial antibodies are sensitive indicators of lymphatic filariasis transmission and enable identification of high-risk populations and hotspots. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 147 107194. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107194
2024
Journal Article
Field laboratory comparison of STANDARD Q Filariasis Antigen Test (QFAT) with Bioline Filariasis Test Strip (FTS) for the detection of Lymphatic Filariasis in Samoa, 2023
Scott, Jessica L., Mayfield, Helen J., Sinclair, Jane E., Martin, Beatris Mario, Howlett, Maddison, Muttucumaru, Ramona, Won, Kimberly Y., Thomsen, Robert, Viali, Satupaitea, Tofaeono-Pifeleti, Rossana, Graves, Patricia M. and Lau, Colleen L. (2024). Field laboratory comparison of STANDARD Q Filariasis Antigen Test (QFAT) with Bioline Filariasis Test Strip (FTS) for the detection of Lymphatic Filariasis in Samoa, 2023. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 18 (8) e0012386, e0012386-8. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012386
2024
Journal Article
Measuring what matters: context-specific indicators for assessing immunisation performance in Pacific Island Countries and Areas
Patel, Cyra, Sargent, Ginny M., Tinessia, Adeline, Mayfield, Helen, Chateau, Dan, Ali, Akeem, Tuibeqa, Ilisapeci and Sheel, Meru (2024). Measuring what matters: context-specific indicators for assessing immunisation performance in Pacific Island Countries and Areas. PLOS Global Public Health, 4 (7) e0003068. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003068
2024
Journal Article
Ongoing transmission of lymphatic filariasis in Samoa 4.5 years after one round of triple-drug mass drug administration
Mayfield, Helen J., Sartorius, Benn, Sheridan, Sarah, Howlett, Maddison, Mario Martin, Beatris, Thomsen, Robert, Tofaeono-Pifeleti, Rossana, Viali, Satupaitea, Graves, Patricia M. and Lau, Colleen L. (2024). Ongoing transmission of lymphatic filariasis in Samoa 4.5 years after one round of triple-drug mass drug administration. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 18 (6) e0012236, e0012236. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012236
2024
Journal Article
Trust and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the Dominican Republic: a national cross-sectional household survey, June–October 2021
Garnier, Salomé, Then, Cecilia, de St Aubin, Michael, Cadavid Restrepo, Angela, Mayfield, Helen J., Dumas, Devan, Duke, William, Peña, Farah, Kucharski, Adam J., Skewes, Ronald, Zielinski Gutiérrez, Emily, Coyoli, Julia, Etienne, Marie Caroline, Lau, Colleen L., Vázquez, Marietta and Nilles, Eric (2024). Trust and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the Dominican Republic: a national cross-sectional household survey, June–October 2021. BMJ Open, 14 (5) e081523, 1-8. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-081523
2024
Journal Article
Towards global elimination of lymphatic filariasis: a systematic review of the application of spatial epidemiological methods to enhance surveillance and support elimination programmes
Martin, Beatris Mario, Cadavid Restrepo, Angela, Mayfield, Helen J and Lau, Colleen L (2024). Towards global elimination of lymphatic filariasis: a systematic review of the application of spatial epidemiological methods to enhance surveillance and support elimination programmes. BMJ Public Health, 2 (1), e000534. doi: 10.1136/bmjph-2023-000534
2023
Journal Article
Using regional sero-epidemiology SARS-CoV-2 Anti-S antibodies in the Dominican Republic to inform targeted public health response
Mario Martin, Beatris, Cadavid Restrepo, Angela, Mayfield, Helen, Then Paulino, Cecilia, De St Aubin, Micheal, Duke, William, Jarolim, Petr, Zielinski Gutiérrez, Emily, Skewes Ramm, Ronald, Dumas, Devan, Garnier, Salome, Etienne, Marie Caroline, Peña, Farah, Abdalla, Gabriela, Lopez, Beatriz, de la Cruz, Lucia, Henríquez, Bernarda, Baldwin, Margaret, Sartorius, Benn, Kucharski, Adam, Nilles, Eric James and Lau, Colleen L. (2023). Using regional sero-epidemiology SARS-CoV-2 Anti-S antibodies in the Dominican Republic to inform targeted public health response. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 8 (11) 493, 1-17. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed8110493
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Helen Mayfield is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Analysing antibodies as indicators for lymphatic filariasis surveillance in Samoa using Bayesian networks.
Location: UQ CCR, Herston
Description: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a mosquito-transmitted disease which causes a significant disease burden, particularly in low-income countries. Surveillance plays a crucial role in global elimination efforts, with human antigen being the most widely used indicator. There is evidence however that antibodies may be more sensitive than antigen for detecting changes in infection prevalence. This project will use an established methodology (https://shorturl.at/fqzAP) to design and implement a data-driven Bayesian network model to evaluate the relative utility of different infection markers for detecting signals of transmission in Samoa.
Expected outcomes and deliverables: The student will develop skills in Bayesian network modelling and an understanding of how data modelling can be applied to operational research in infectious diseases. Deliverables will be a fully parameterised Bayesian network, and a report including a sensitivity analysis and discussion. Upon completion of the project, there will be an opportunity to write up and publish the results as a scientific paper.
Suitable for: Students with basic epidemiology, good analytical skills and in interest in data science. No previous knowledge of Bayesian networks is assumed.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
The long-term cardiovascular complications of COVID-19
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Colleen Lau, Professor Nathan Palpant, Professor Kirsty Short
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Doctor Philosophy
Delivering human and ecosystem health co-benefits through integrated watewater management: improving disease prevention, fisheries, and marine environments in Fiji
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Colleen Lau, Dr Amelia Wenger, Associate Professor Carissa Klein
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Doctor Philosophy
Integrated watershed management for public and ecosystem health in the Pacific Islands: overlapping drivers and strategies to prevent leptospirosis and improve coral reef health
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Colleen Lau, Dr Amelia Wenger, Associate Professor Carissa Klein
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Doctor Philosophy
The long-term cardiovascular complications of COVID-19
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Colleen Lau, Professor Nathan Palpant, Professor Kirsty Short
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Doctor Philosophy
Delivering human and ecosystem health co-benefits through integrated watewater management: improving disease prevention, fisheries, and marine environments in Fiji
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Amelia Wenger, Professor Colleen Lau, Associate Professor Carissa Klein
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Doctor Philosophy
Spatio-temporal epidemiology of vector-borne diseases in the Dominican Republic
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Angela Cadavid Restrepo, Associate Professor Benn Sartorius, Professor Colleen Lau
Media
Enquiries
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