Overview
Background
I’m a clinician–researcher in infectious diseases, focusing on improving the prevention, detection, and control of high-burden and neglected infections through operational research and implementation science. My work spans hospital infection prevention (quality improvement collaborative) and community-based surveillance for diseases, including leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, and arboviruses.
At The University of Queensland (ODeSI, UQ Centre for Clinical Research), I support decision-making for infectious disease programs, translating routinely collected data and field evidence into actionable strategies. In Brazil, I lead and contribute to multi-site initiatives with PROADI-SUS hospitals and the Ministry of Health, including developing national guidelines and designing pragmatic trials.
Key expertise
- Infectious disease epidemiology, surveillance, and outbreak analytics
- Implementation research and quality improvement collaboratives
- Pragmatic trials (e.g., cluster stepped-wedge designs) and diagnostic evaluation
- Health technology assessment and micro-costing evidence.
Availability
- Dr Sebastian Vernal Carranza is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Diploma of Medicine, Universidad de Valparaíso
- Doctoral Diploma of Clinical Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
- Postgraduate Diploma of Infectious Diseases, Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
Research interests
-
Neglected Tropical Diseases
Research impacts
My research provides practical tools and evidence to help health services and governments prevent infections, allocate resources efficiently, and strengthen surveillance—particularly in high-burden, resource-constrained settings.
A major focus of my work is translating quality-improvement methods into measurable patient-safety gains in intensive care. I coordinate research for a nationwide collaborative designed to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in ICUs, supporting implementation at scale and generating economic evidence to inform investment decisions.
Evidence of impact
-
Sustained research translation and reach through 52 peer-reviewed publications (676 citations; h-index 15)
Works
Search Professor Sebastian Vernal Carranza’s works on UQ eSpace
2026
Journal Article
Leptospirosis in the Caribbean Region between 2000 and 2022: A scoping review of morbidity and mortality
Mario Martin, Beatris, Zhang, Zhonghan, Vernal, Sebastian, Jian, Holly, Nilles, Eric J., Furuya-Kanamori, Luis, Sartorius, Benn and Lau, Colleen L. (2026). Leptospirosis in the Caribbean Region between 2000 and 2022: A scoping review of morbidity and mortality. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 20 (1) e0013595, e0013595. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0013595
2025
Journal Article
Cost of respiratory syncytial virus hospitalisation in Brazilian infants: a micro-costing study from the perspective of a Brazilian tertiary public hospital, 2020–2023
dos Santos, Nancy Oliveira, da Silva, Solange Batista, Kiriyama, Edgard Joseph, Nunes, Caroline Pimenta, Batista Hiar, Luís Felipe, de Meireles, Leonardo Henrique Fiuza, Pereira, Francisco Neves, de Sousa, Ancelmo Honorato Ferraz, Bass, Lital Moro, D’Ornelas, Adriana Cristina, Pitoli, Carla Souza Behr, Alexandre, Rodrigo Fernandes, Almeida, Paulo Henrique Ribeiro Fernandes, Flora, Ana Paula, Pachito, Daniela Vianna and Vernal, Sebastian (2025). Cost of respiratory syncytial virus hospitalisation in Brazilian infants: a micro-costing study from the perspective of a Brazilian tertiary public hospital, 2020–2023. BMC Public Health, 25 (1) 2551, 1. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-23636-w
2025
Journal Article
Strengthening equity and anti-racism in women’s care: a quality improvement initiative reducing institutional maternal mortality in Brazil
Nariño, Santiago, dos Santos, Jussara Francisca de Assis, Brito, Tayna, Pedrilio, Livia Sanches, Borem, Paulo, de Barros, Claudia Garcia and Vernal, Sebastian (2025). Strengthening equity and anti-racism in women’s care: a quality improvement initiative reducing institutional maternal mortality in Brazil. International Journal for Equity in Health, 24 (1) 111, 1-13. doi: 10.1186/s12939-025-02452-z
2025
Journal Article
Cost savings of a nationwide project preventing healthcare-associated infections in adult, paediatric and neonatal critical care settings in Brazil: a micro-costing study
Bass, Lital Moro, de Meireles, Leonardo Henrique Fiuza, Kiriyama, Edgard Joseph, dos Santos, Nancy Oliveira, de Sousa, Ancelmo Honorato Ferraz, Silva, Karen Cristina da Conceição Dias, de Moura, Rafaela Moraes, Prandini, Cristiana Martins, Santos, Guilherme Cesar Silva Dias, dos Santos, Renata Gonsalez, Franco, Flavia Fernanda, Petenate, Ademir Jose, Cristalda, Cristiane Maria Reis, de Barros, Claudia Garcia and Vernal, Sebastian (2025). Cost savings of a nationwide project preventing healthcare-associated infections in adult, paediatric and neonatal critical care settings in Brazil: a micro-costing study. BMJ Open, 15 (4), e097515-4. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-097515
2025
Journal Article
Syphilis seroprevalence and risk factors among first-time blood donors in Brazil: A comprehensive repeated cross-sectional analysis spanning a decade
Cortez, Andre Lazzeri, Avelino-Silva, Vivian I., Labella Henriques, Barbara, Vernal, Sebastian, de Almeida-Neto, Cesar, Rolim Belisário, André, Loureiro, Paula, de Alvarenga Maximo, Claudia, de Oliveira Garcia Mateos, Sheila, Mayaud, Philippe and Sabino, Ester Cerdeira (2025). Syphilis seroprevalence and risk factors among first-time blood donors in Brazil: A comprehensive repeated cross-sectional analysis spanning a decade. PLoS ONE, 20 (2 February) e0315933, e0315933. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0315933
2025
Journal Article
Strengthening Reliability and Sustainability: Integrating Training Within Industry (TWI) in a Quality Improvement Collaborative
Borem, Paulo, de Moura, Rafaela Moraes, Dos Santos, Helena Barreto, Dias Santos, Guilherme Cesar Silva, Bopsin, Patrícia Dos Santos, Ramos, Beatriz, Gushken, Andrea Keiko Fujinami, Braga, Samara de Campos, Piusi, Edileusa Novaes, Garzella, Priscila Martini Bernardi, Baltazar, Lais Silvestre Bizerra, Silva, Karen Cristina da Conceição Dias, Dos Santos, Teilor Ricardo, Bravo, Marco Antonio Saavedra, Petenate, Ademir Jose, Cristalda, Cristiane Maria Reis, Ue, Luciana Yumi, de Barros, Claudia Garcia and Vernal, Sebastian (2025). Strengthening Reliability and Sustainability: Integrating Training Within Industry (TWI) in a Quality Improvement Collaborative. Global Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare, 8 (1), 35-42. doi: 10.36401/JQSH-24-37
2024
Journal Article
Factors associated with non-pathogenic antibodies against desmoglein-3 in pemphigus foliaceus
Vernal, Sebastian, Julio, Tamiris Amanda, Alves, Fernando Henrique, Turatti, Aline, Donadi, Eduardo Antonio and Roselino, Ana Maria (2024). Factors associated with non-pathogenic antibodies against desmoglein-3 in pemphigus foliaceus. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, 99 (5), 680-687. doi: 10.1016/j.abd.2023.11.006
2024
Journal Article
Using active learning strategies during a quality improvement collaborative: exploring educational games to enhance learning among healthcare professionals
da Silva, Marianilza Lopes, Franco, Flavia Fernanda, Vieira, Jessica Alves, da Silva, Juliana Fernandes, Santos, Guilherme Cesar Silva Dias, da Cunha, Beatriz Marques, Pereira, Fernando Enrique Arriel, Nardoni, Natalia, Gomes, Francielle Bendersky, Cocentino, Brunno Cesar Batista, Marques, Roberta Gonçalves, de Melo, Natalia Souza, Petenate, Ademir Jose, Hamada, Andreza Pivato Susin, Cristalda, Cristiane Maria Reis, Ue, Luciana Yumi, de Barros, Claudia Garcia and Vernal, Sebastian (2024). Using active learning strategies during a quality improvement collaborative: exploring educational games to enhance learning among healthcare professionals. BMJ Open Quality, 13 (2) e002427, e002427-2. doi: 10.1136/bmjoq-2023-002427
2024
Journal Article
New insights in leprosy (Hansen's disease)
Vernal, Sebastian and Gomes, Ciro Martins (2024). New insights in leprosy (Hansen's disease). Frontiers in Medicine, 11 1372149. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1372149
2023
Journal Article
Dexamethasone-cyclophosphamide pulse therapy outcomes comparing pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus groups in a Brazilian cohort study
Fontenelle, Ludmilla Figueiredo, Bueno-Filho, Roberto, Vernal, Sebastián, Delfino, Renata, Barbosa, Giovanna Stefanne Lópes, Donadi, Eduardo Antonio and Roselino, Ana Maria (2023). Dexamethasone-cyclophosphamide pulse therapy outcomes comparing pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus groups in a Brazilian cohort study. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, 98 (6), 774-780. doi: 10.1016/j.abd.2022.11.005
2023
Journal Article
Patient safety culture in South America: a cross-sectional study
Pedroso, Aline Cristina, Fernandes, Fernanda Paulino, Tuma, Paula, Vernal, Sebastian, Pellizzari, Marcelo, Seisdedos, Mariana Graciela, Prieto, Constanza, Wilckens, Bernd Oberpaur, Villamizar, Omar Javier Salamanca, Olaya, Lilian Arlette Castaneda, Delgado, Pedro and Cendoroglo Neto, Miguel (2023). Patient safety culture in South America: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open Quality, 12 (4), e002362-4. doi: 10.1136/bmjoq-2023-002362
2023
Journal Article
Pemphigus vulgaris associated with nasoseptal perforation, ocular conjunctival herpes infection and milia formation
Vernal, Sebastian, Bueno-Filho, Roberto, Hashimoto, Takashi and Roselino, Ana Maria (2023). Pemphigus vulgaris associated with nasoseptal perforation, ocular conjunctival herpes infection and milia formation. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, 98 (4), 550-552. doi: 10.1016/j.abd.2021.09.019
2022
Journal Article
Bullous pemphigoid and milia: prevalence and clinical laboratory findings in a Brazilian sample
Vernal, Sebastián, Oliveira, Ederson Valei de, Bueno Filho, Roberto, Julio, Tamiris A., Donadi, Eduardo A., Turatti, Aline, Ishii, Norito, Hashimoto, Takashi and Roselino, Ana Maria (2022). Bullous pemphigoid and milia: prevalence and clinical laboratory findings in a Brazilian sample. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, 97 (4), 435-442. doi: 10.1016/j.abd.2021.10.003
2022
Journal Article
Adherence to non-pharmacological preventive measures among healthcare workers in a middle-income country during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: Hospital and community setting
Costa, Silvia Figueiredo, Vernal, Sebastian, Giavina-Bianchi, Pedro, Mesquita Peres, Carlos Henrique, dos Santos, Lanuse G.D., Santos, Roseli E.B., Santos, Rita C.C., Francisco, Maria Cristina P.B., Satie, Fatima M., dal Secco, Ligia M., Pivetta Cora, Aline, dos santos, Carolina Lazari, Duarte, Alberto Jose da Silva, Oliveira Bonfá, Eloisa Silva Dutra de, Perreira, Antonio Jose, Sabino, Ester Cedeira, Segurado, Aluisio Cotrin and Levin, Anna Sara (2022). Adherence to non-pharmacological preventive measures among healthcare workers in a middle-income country during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: Hospital and community setting. American Journal of Infection Control, 50 (6), 707-711. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2021.12.004
2022
Journal Article
Autoantibodies against desmoglein 2 are not pathogenic in pemphigus
Miguel, Marcela Calixto Brandão, Julio, Tamiris Amanda, Vernal, Sebastian, de Paula, Natália Aparecida, Lieber, Andre and Roselino, Ana Maria (2022). Autoantibodies against desmoglein 2 are not pathogenic in pemphigus. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia, 97 (2), 145-156. doi: 10.1016/j.abd.2021.06.004
2021
Journal Article
Geoclimatic, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics related to dengue outbreaks in Southeastern Brazil: an annual spatial and spatiotemporal risk model over a 12-year period
Vernal, Sebastian, Nahas, Andressa K., Neto, Francisco Chiaravalloti, Prete Junior, Carlos A., Cortez, Andre L., Sabino, Ester Cerdeira and Luna, Expedito Jose de Albuquerque (2021). Geoclimatic, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics related to dengue outbreaks in Southeastern Brazil: an annual spatial and spatiotemporal risk model over a 12-year period. Revista Do Instituto De Medicina Tropical De Sao Paulo, 63 e70, 1-9. doi: 10.1590/S1678-9946202163070
2020
Journal Article
RNA-sequencing of the Nyssomyia neivai sialome: a sand fly-vector from a Brazilian endemic area for tegumentary leishmaniasis and pemphigus foliaceus
Vernal, Sebastian, Oliveira, Fabiano, Oliveira, Wanderson H. C., Goulart, Thais M., Oristian, James, Calvo, Eric, Pinto, Mara C., Roselino, Ana Maria and Ribeiro, Jose M. C. (2020). RNA-sequencing of the Nyssomyia neivai sialome: a sand fly-vector from a Brazilian endemic area for tegumentary leishmaniasis and pemphigus foliaceus. Scientific Reports, 10 (1) 17664, 1-18. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-74343-y
2020
Journal Article
Tegumentary leishmaniasis mimicking visceralization in a cirrhotic patient: atypical cutaneous lesions and local immunological features
Vernal, Sebastian, Casal, Yuri, Vieira, Lucas T., Amato, Valdir S., Duarte, Maria Irma S. and Nastri, Ana Catharina S. S. (2020). Tegumentary leishmaniasis mimicking visceralization in a cirrhotic patient: atypical cutaneous lesions and local immunological features. Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira De Medicina Tropical, 53 e20190380, 1-4. doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0380-2019
2015
Journal Article
Accuracy of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis diagnosis using polymerase chain reaction: systematic literature review and meta-analysis
Gomes, Ciro Martins, Mazin, Suleimy Cristina, dos Santos, Elisa Raphael, Cesetti, Mariana Vicente, Brizida Baectold, Guilherme Albergaria, de Freitas Cordeiro, Joao Henrique, Estrela Terra Theodoro, Fabricio Claudino, Damasco, Fabiana dos Santos, Vernal Carranza, Sebastian Andres, Santos, Adriana de Oliveira, Roselino, Ana Maria and Ribeiro Sampaio, Raimunda Nonata (2015). Accuracy of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis diagnosis using polymerase chain reaction: systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Memorias Do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 110 (2), 157-165. doi: 10.1590/0074-02760140280
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Sebastian Vernal Carranza is:
- Available for supervision
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