
Overview
Background
I am a molecular virologist and postdoctoral research fellow in Prof. Alexander Khromykh's laboratory, specialising in virus evolution, virus bioinformatics, and reverse genetics.
My research journey began with a Bachelor of Science, First Class Honours in Molecular Biology from The University of Queensland (2015). I then pursued my PhD (2016-2021) at UQ's School of Biology under Prof. Sassan Asgari, where I analysed the virome and microbiome of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, focusing on their interactions with Wolbachia pipientis infections.
Since 2021, I have been a postdoctoral researcher in Prof. Alexander Khromykh's RNA Virology lab. Here, I contributed to developing the SARS-CoV-2 circular polymerase extension reaction (CPER) reverse-genetics methodology. As a physical containment 3 (PC3) researcher, I examine the virological properties of Flaviviruses and SARS-CoV-2 viruses under stringent PC3 conditions. Recently, with support from Therapeutic Innovation Australia and the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, I have been utilising the Kunjin virus replicon system as a versatile and durable self-replicating RNA platform for vaccine and protein replacement therapy.
Beyond my virology work, I actively provide bioinformatics and phylogenetics support within UQ and internationally. Let's connect if you’re interested in collaborating on differential gene and ncRNA expression analysis, ATAC-sequencing, ancestral state prediction, virus discovery, or microbiome analyses.
I am also on the organising committee of MicroSeq (2023-2024), an Australasian Microbiology conference focused on microbial sequencing promoting PhD students and early career researchers. Additionally, I am an incoming Ex Officio member of the Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM) Queensland branch.
Availability
- Dr Rhys Parry is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Development of self-replicating RNA vaccines and therapeutics.
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Flavivirus evolution and diversity.
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Interferon-antagonistic activities of amino acid residues in the West Nile virus capsid protein identified by deep mutational scanning.
Research impacts
As a COVID-19 scientist, I am actively combating misinformation about COVID-19 research through academic channels and providing expert analysis to independent journalism organisations engaged in Fact-Checking. Some examples include COVID-19 vaccine misinformation examined by the Australian Associated Press and Health Feedback, an organisation contracted by Facebook to verify misinformation.
Works
Search Professor Rhys Parry’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Skin Patch Delivery of a SARS-CoV-2 Spike DNA Vaccine Produces Broad Neutralising Antibody Responses
McMillan, Christopher L.D., Corner, Andrea V., Wijesundara, Danushka K., Choo, Jovin J.Y., Pittayakhajonwut, Daraporn, Poredi, Indrajeet, Parry, Rhys H., Bindra, Guneet K., Bruce, Kimberley, Khromykh, Alexander A., Fernando, Germain J.P., Dapremont, Laurent, Young, Paul R. and Muller, David A. (2025). Skin Patch Delivery of a SARS-CoV-2 Spike DNA Vaccine Produces Broad Neutralising Antibody Responses. Heliyon e42533, e42533. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e42533
2025
Journal Article
Henipavirus in Northern Short-Tailed Shrew, Alabama, USA
Parry, Rhys H., Yamada, KayLene Y.H., Hood, Wendy R., Zhao, Yang, Lu, Jinlong Y., Seluanov, Andrei, Gorbunova, Vera, Modhiran, Naphak, Watterson, Daniel and Isaacs, Ariel (2025). Henipavirus in Northern Short-Tailed Shrew, Alabama, USA. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 31 (2). doi: 10.3201/eid3102.241155
2024
Journal Article
No evidence that mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern derive from homologous fragments in gut microbiota
Parry, Rhys H., Lytras, Spyros, Petrone, Mary E., Wille, Michelle, Crits-Christoph, Alexander, Gifford, Robert J., Saito, Akatsuki, Smura, Teemu and Peacock, Thomas P. (2024). No evidence that mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern derive from homologous fragments in gut microbiota. Journal of Virology, 98 (12), 1-2. doi: 10.1128/jvi.01468-24
2024
Journal Article
Synthetic recovery of Yada Yada virus expands insect-specific alphavirus knowledge and facilitates production of chimeric viruses
Bell, Mikaela G., Parry, Rhys H., Lee, Tricia S. E., Habarugira, Gervais, McMahon, Isabella E., Thompson, Madeline A., Modhiran, Naphak, Watterson, Daniel, Batovska, Jana, Lynch, Stacey E., Hall, Roy A., Harrison, Jessica J. and Hobson-Peters, Jody (2024). Synthetic recovery of Yada Yada virus expands insect-specific alphavirus knowledge and facilitates production of chimeric viruses. npj Viruses, 2 (1) 45, 1-14. doi: 10.1038/s44298-024-00052-2
2024
Journal Article
Diverse RNA viruses of parasitic nematodes can elicit antibody responses in vertebrate hosts
Quek, Shannon, Hadermann, Amber, Wu, Yang, De Coninck, Lander, Hegde, Shrilakshmi, Boucher, Jordan R., Cresswell, Jessica, Foreman, Ella, Steven, Andrew, LaCourse, E. James, Ward, Stephen A., Wanji, Samuel, Hughes, Grant L., Patterson, Edward I., Wagstaff, Simon C., Turner, Joseph D., Parry, Rhys H., Kohl, Alain, Heinz, Eva, Otabil, Kenneth Bentum, Matthijnssens, Jelle, Colebunders, Robert and Taylor, Mark J. (2024). Diverse RNA viruses of parasitic nematodes can elicit antibody responses in vertebrate hosts. Nature Microbiology, 9 (10), 2488-2505. doi: 10.1038/s41564-024-01796-6
2024
Journal Article
Detection of Dengue Virus 1 and Mammalian Orthoreovirus 3, with Novel Reassortments, in a South African Family Returning from Thailand, 2017
Jansen van Vuren, Petrus, Parry, Rhys H. and Pawęska, Janusz T. (2024). Detection of Dengue Virus 1 and Mammalian Orthoreovirus 3, with Novel Reassortments, in a South African Family Returning from Thailand, 2017. Viruses, 16 (8) 1274, 1274. doi: 10.3390/v16081274
2024
Journal Article
A ~40-kb flavi-like virus does not encode a known error-correcting mechanism
Petrone, Mary E., Grove, Joe, Mélade, Julien, Mifsud, Jonathon C. O., Parry, Rhys H., Marzinelli, Ezequiel M. and Holmes, Edward C. (2024). A ~40-kb flavi-like virus does not encode a known error-correcting mechanism. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 121 (30) e2403805121. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2403805121
2024
Journal Article
The <scp>RNA</scp> interference response to alphanodavirus replication in <i>Phlebotomus papatasi</i> sand fly cells
Alexander, Akira J. T., Parry, Rhys H., Ratinier, Maxime, Arnaud, Frédérick and Kohl, Alain (2024). The RNA interference response to alphanodavirus replication in Phlebotomus papatasi sand fly cells. Insect Molecular Biology, 33 (6), 687-696. doi: 10.1111/imb.12932
2024
Journal Article
Multiple novel caliciviruses identified from stoats (Mustela erminea) in the United Kingdom
Hinds, Joseph, Apaa, Ternenge, Parry, Rhys H., Withers, Amy J., MacKenzie, Laura, Staley, Ceri, Morrison, Joshua, Bennett, Malcolm, Bremner-Harrison, Samantha, Chadwick, Elizabeth A., Hailer, Frank, Harrison, Stephen W.R., Lambin, Xavier, Loose, Mathew, Mathews, Fiona, Tarlinton, Rachael and Blanchard, Adam (2024). Multiple novel caliciviruses identified from stoats (Mustela erminea) in the United Kingdom. Access Microbiology, 6 (7), 1-8. doi: 10.1099/acmi.0.000813.v4
2024
Journal Article
Xinyang flavivirus, from Haemaphysalis flava ticks in Henan Province, China, defines a basal, likely tick-only Orthoflavivirus clade
Wang, Lan-Lan, Cheng, Qia, Newton, Natalee D., Wolfinger, Michael T., Morgan, Mahali S., Slonchak, Andrii, Khromykh, Alexander A., Cheng, Tian-Yin and Parry, Rhys H. (2024). Xinyang flavivirus, from Haemaphysalis flava ticks in Henan Province, China, defines a basal, likely tick-only Orthoflavivirus clade. Journal of General Virology, 105 (5) 001991. doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.001991
2024
Journal Article
A novel papillomavirus in a New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) with oral lesions
Mifsud, Jonathon C. O., Hall, Jane, Van Brussel, Kate, Rose, Karrie, Parry, Rhys H., Holmes, Edward C. and Harvey, Erin (2024). A novel papillomavirus in a New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) with oral lesions. npj Viruses, 2 (1) 10, 1-10. doi: 10.1038/s44298-024-00020-w
2024
Journal Article
Dicer-2 mutations in Aedes aegypti cells lead to a diminished antiviral function against Rift Valley fever virus and Bunyamwera virus infection
Dornbusch, Susann, Reuter, Melinda, Parry, Rhys H., Stern, Michael, Becker, Stefanie C. and Schnettler, Esther (2024). Dicer-2 mutations in Aedes aegypti cells lead to a diminished antiviral function against Rift Valley fever virus and Bunyamwera virus infection. Journal of General Virology, 105 (11) 002046. doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.002046
2023
Journal Article
A novel tamanavirus (Flaviviridae) of the European common frog (Rana temporaria) from the UK
Parry, Rhys H., Slonchak, Andrii, Campbell, Lewis J., Newton, Natalee D., Debat, Humberto J., Gifford, Robert J. and Khromykh, Alexander A. (2023). A novel tamanavirus (Flaviviridae) of the European common frog (Rana temporaria) from the UK. Journal of General Virology, 104 (12) 001927, 1-12. doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.001927
2023
Journal Article
The role of N-glycosylation in spike antigenicity for the SARS-CoV-2 gamma variant
Pegg, Cassandra L., Modhiran, Naphak, Parry, Rhys H., Liang, Benjamin, Amarilla, Alberto A., Khromykh, Alexander A., Burr, Lucy, Young, Paul R., Chappell, Keith, Schulz, Benjamin L. and Watterson, Daniel (2023). The role of N-glycosylation in spike antigenicity for the SARS-CoV-2 gamma variant. Glycobiology, 34 (2) cwad097, 1-13. doi: 10.1093/glycob/cwad097
2023
Journal Article
SARS-CoV-2 omicron BA.5 and XBB variants have increased neurotropic potential over BA.1 in K18-hACE2 mice and human brain organoids
Stewart, Romal, Yan, Kexin, Ellis, Sevannah A., Bishop, Cameron R., Dumenil, Troy, Tang, Bing, Nguyen, Wilson, Larcher, Thibaut, Parry, Rhys, Sng, Julian De Jun, Khromykh, Alexander A., Sullivan, Robert K. P., Lor, Mary, Meunier, Frédéric A., Rawle, Daniel J. and Suhrbier, Andreas (2023). SARS-CoV-2 omicron BA.5 and XBB variants have increased neurotropic potential over BA.1 in K18-hACE2 mice and human brain organoids. Frontiers in Microbiology, 14 1320856, 1-18. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1320856
2023
Journal Article
Senolytic therapy alleviates physiological human brain aging and COVID-19 neuropathology
Aguado, Julio, Amarilla, Alberto A., Taherian Fard, Atefeh, Albornoz, Eduardo A., Tyshkovskiy, Alexander, Schwabenland, Marius, Chaggar, Harman K., Modhiran, Naphak, Gómez-Inclán, Cecilia, Javed, Ibrahim, Baradar, Alireza A., Liang, Benjamin, Peng, Lianli, Dharmaratne, Malindrie, Pietrogrande, Giovanni, Padmanabhan, Pranesh, Freney, Morgan E., Parry, Rhys, Sng, Julian D. J., Isaacs, Ariel, Khromykh, Alexander A., Valenzuela Nieto, Guillermo, Rojas-Fernandez, Alejandro, Davis, Thomas P., Prinz, Marco, Bengsch, Bertram, Gladyshev, Vadim N., Woodruff, Trent M., Mar, Jessica C. ... Wolvetang, Ernst J. (2023). Senolytic therapy alleviates physiological human brain aging and COVID-19 neuropathology. Nature Aging, 3 (12), 1561-1575. doi: 10.1038/s43587-023-00519-6
2023
Journal Article
Evidence for an ancient aquatic origin of the RNA viral order Articulavirales
Petrone, Mary E., Parry, Rhys, Mifsud, Jonathon C. O., Van Brussel, Kate, Vorhees, Ian, Richards, Zoe T. and Holmes, Edward C. (2023). Evidence for an ancient aquatic origin of the RNA viral order Articulavirales. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120 (45) e2310529120, 1-10. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2310529120
2023
Journal Article
Egg protein profile and dynamics during embryogenesis in Haemaphysalis flava ticks
Cheng, Rong, Li, Dan, Duan, De-yong, Parry, Rhys, Cheng, Tian-yin and Liu, Lei (2023). Egg protein profile and dynamics during embryogenesis in Haemaphysalis flava ticks. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 14 (4) 102180, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102180
2023
Journal Article
Fluid Optimisation in Emergency Laparotomy (FLO-ELA) Trial: study protocol for a multi-centre randomised trial of cardiac output-guided fluid therapy compared to usual care in patients undergoing major emergency gastrointestinal surgery
Edwards, Mark R., Forbes, Gordon, Walker, Neil, Morton, Dion G., Mythen, Monty G., Murray, Dave, Anderson, Iain, Mihaylova, Borislava, Thomson, Ann, Taylor, Matt, Hollyman, Marianne, Phillips, Rachel, Young, Keith, Kahan, Brennan C., Pearse, Rupert M., Grocott, Michael P. W., Skubala, Alexandra, Tapley, Patrick, Kellett, Suzanne, Bolger, Clare, Burnish, Rachel, Collings, Nikki, Cumpstey, Andrew, Wong, Hannah, Rehnberg, Vic, Lees, Jessica, Salmon, Karen, Wee, Naomi, Harrison, Sarah ... Brennan, Christopher (2023). Fluid Optimisation in Emergency Laparotomy (FLO-ELA) Trial: study protocol for a multi-centre randomised trial of cardiac output-guided fluid therapy compared to usual care in patients undergoing major emergency gastrointestinal surgery. Trials, 24 (1) 313, 1-16. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07275-3
2023
Journal Article
Statement in Support of: “Virology under the Microscope—a Call for Rational Discourse”
Speck, Peter, Mackenzie, Jason, Bull, Rowena A., Slobedman, Barry, Drummer, Heidi, Fraser, Johanna, Herrero, Lara, Helbig, Karla, Londrigan, Sarah, Moseley, Gregory, Prow, Natalie, Hansman, Grant, Edwards, Robert, Ahlenstiel, Chantelle, Abendroth, Allison, Tscharke, David, Hobson-Peters, Jody, Kriiger-Loterio, Robson, Parry, Rhys, Marsh, Glenn, Harding, Emma, Jacques, David A., Gartner, Matthew J., Lee, Wen Shi, McAuley, Julie, Vaz, Paola, Sainsbury, Frank, Tate, Michelle D., Sinclair, Jane ... Young, Paul (2023). Statement in Support of: “Virology under the Microscope—a Call for Rational Discourse”. Journal of Virology, 97 (5), e0045123. doi: 10.1128/jvi.00451-23
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Rhys Parry is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Survey of farmers¿ perceptions of gastrointestinal parasites and investigation of prevalence, impact, and control of these parasites on sub-tropical dairy cattle
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ben Wood, Professor Ricardo Soares Magalhaes, Dr Shahab Ranjbar Nezhad Isfahani, Dr Swaid Abdullah
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Doctor Philosophy
Predicting and preparing for the unfolding evolution of SARS-CoV-2
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alexander Khromykh
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Doctor Philosophy
Survey of farmers¿ perceptions of gastrointestinal parasites and investigation of prevalence, impact, and control of these parasites on sub-tropical dairy cattle
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ben Wood, Professor Ricardo Soares Magalhaes, Dr Shahab Ranjbar Nezhad Isfahani, Dr Swaid Abdullah
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Doctor Philosophy
Predicting and preparing for the unfolding evolution of SARS-CoV-2
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alexander Khromykh
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Rhys Parry directly for media enquiries about:
- SARS-CoV-2
- Virology
- Virus evolution
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