Connor Scott

I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the labs of Professor Daniel Watterson and Professor Keith Chappell, specialising in the structure-guided design of vaccines and therapeutics for emerging viral pathogens, with a particular emphasis on flaviviral diseases.

My research journey began with a Bachelor of Science (First Class Honours) in Microbiology from The University of Queensland in 2018. I subsequently undertook a PhD (2019–2023) under the supervision of Professors Daniel Watterson, Keith Chappell, and Paul Young, during which I developed antibody discovery platforms for two innovative viral vaccine technologies — the Molecular Clamp and the ISVac chimeric virus system. Using these platforms, I generated therapeutic candidates for the treatment of dengue, which demonstrated efficacy in animal models of dengue virus infection.

Throughout my candidature, I also contributed to the development of The University of Queensland’s COVID-19 vaccine, which advanced to Phase I clinical trials, as well as to ongoing efforts to refine next-generation Molecular Clamp-stabilised vaccine technologies.

Since 2023, I have continued my work as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with Professor Watterson, focusing on the structural characterisation of antibody–virus interactions and the development of broad-spectrum therapeutics for flaviviruses. My current research integrates molecular virology, antibody discovery, and cryogenic electron microscopy to elucidate key neutralising antibody epitopes on flaviviruses—primarily Japanese encephalitis virus—and to apply these insights toward the rational design of cross-protective vaccines and antibody-based therapies.

Alongside my ongoing work in the Watterson Laboratory, in 2025 I began working with Professor Keith Chappell as an electron microscopy and antibody discovery expert on the Rapid Response Vaccine Platform project, which leverages The University of Queensland’s proprietary Molecular Clamp technology. In this role, I lead the structural biology component of antigen lead selection, using cryogenic electron microscopy to characterise antigen conformations and assess their suitability for vaccine development. Additionally, I oversee the discovery and characterisation of novel monoclonal antibodies that serve as key reagents for vaccine potency and functional assessments. Through this work, I contribute to advancing a robust and flexible vaccine design pipeline capable of rapidly responding to emerging viral threats.