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
Enterovirus-related central nervous system infections in Queensland, Australia: a 23-year spatiotemporal analysis (2000–2022)
Vernal, Sebastian, Domingo, John, Douglas, Joel, Furuya-Kanamori, Luis, Hume, Anna, Harris, Patrick N. A. and Gassiep, Ian (2026). Enterovirus-related central nervous system infections in Queensland, Australia: a 23-year spatiotemporal analysis (2000–2022). Infection, Disease and Health, 31 (4) 100432, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.idh.2026.100432
2026
Journal Article
Scaling up improvement: the drive to reduce healthcare-associated infections in public Brazilian intensive care units across all patient ages
Santos, Guilherme Cesar Silva Dias, Gushken, Andrea Keiko Fujinami, Silva, Karen Cristina da Conceição Dias, de Moura, Rafaela Moraes, Gimenes, Amanda Brassaroto, Franco, Flavia Fernanda, Moya, Maira Francisco, Prandini, Cristiana Martins, Tavares, Bruno de Melo, Brenner, Aline, Coelho, Fernanda Pimentel, Marques, Roberta Gonçalves, Bernz, Livia Muller, da Silva, Marianilza Lopes, Souza, Luciana Gouvea de Albuquerque, da Silva, Admilson Reis, Santos, Giselle Franco, Garzella, Priscila Martini Bernardi, Petenate, Ademir Jose, Borem, Paulo, Reis, Cristiane Maria, Ue, Luciana Yumi, de Barros, Claudia Garcia and Vernal, Sebastian (2026). Scaling up improvement: the drive to reduce healthcare-associated infections in public Brazilian intensive care units across all patient ages. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 47 (7), 1-9. doi: 10.1017/ice.2026.10434
2026
Journal Article
Improving and sustaining adolescent access to primary care in a socioeconomically vulnerable urban community in Brazil: outcomes of a quality improvement initiative
Timbó de Paiva Neto, Francisco, Marques, Roberta Gonçalves, Saad, Leila Del Castillo, Palacio, Danielle da Costa, Borella, Andrea Christina, Arcos, Adriane Reis, Miranda, Rose Mara, da Silva, Andreia Maria, Rodrigues, Maira da Silva and Vernal, Sebastian (2026). Improving and sustaining adolescent access to primary care in a socioeconomically vulnerable urban community in Brazil: outcomes of a quality improvement initiative. BMJ Paediatrics Open, 10 (1) e004330, 1-9. doi: 10.1136/bmjpo-2025-004330
2026
Journal Article
Replacing ADT With dTpa in Queensland Emergency Departments: Another Opportunity for Pertussis Control?
Nissen, Michael D., Jordan, Faye, Adhikari, Polash, Vernal, Sebastian and Furuya‐Kanamori, Luis (2026). Replacing ADT With dTpa in Queensland Emergency Departments: Another Opportunity for Pertussis Control?. Emergency Medicine Australasia, 38 (1) e70228, 1-3. doi: 10.1111/1742-6723.70228
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, 1-17. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0013595
2026
Journal Article
A systematic review of comparative accuracy studies of the Kato-Katz and spontaneous sedimentation methods for schistosomiasis diagnosis
Almeida, Matheus Oliveira de, Lucchetta, Rosa Camila, Vernal, Sebastian and Teixeira, Carlos Graeff (2026). A systematic review of comparative accuracy studies of the Kato-Katz and spontaneous sedimentation methods for schistosomiasis diagnosis. Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical, 59 e0335-2025, e03352025. doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0335-2025
2026
Journal Article
The Right Patient at the Right Place: A Quality Improvement Initiative Implementing Safe Dehospitalization of Patients Using Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy
Garzella, Priscila Martini Bernardi, Felix, Thais Galoppini, dos Santos, Nancy Oliveira, Bass, Lital Moro, de Meireles, Leonardo Henrique Fiuza, Nunes, Caroline Pimenta, de Sousa, Ancelmo Honorato Ferraz, Vieira, Carlos Eduardo Santa Cruz, Nóbrega, Daniela, Moniz, Suellen, Machado, Maria Aparecida, de Lima, Fabiano Isidio, Trindade, Maria Fernanda, Barros, Beatrice Sampaio dos Santos, Ramos, Ana Claudia Mallet Souza, Ramalho, Priscilla Santini, Cabral, Renata Maria, Cota, Maria de Fátima Ferreira, Schapowal, Karina Suzane Pereira, Rolla, Fabiana, de Barros, Claudia Garcia and Vernal, Sebastian (2026). The Right Patient at the Right Place: A Quality Improvement Initiative Implementing Safe Dehospitalization of Patients Using Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy. Journal of Global Infectious Diseases, 18 (1), 3-9. doi: 10.4103/jgid.jgid_111_25
2026
Journal Article
P-1100. Assessing Hand Hygiene on a Large Scale: Hospital Self-Assessment, Healthcare Workers’ Perception, and HAI Burden in Brazilian Institutions
de Moura, Rafaela M, de Almeida, André P F, Silva, Claudia V, Faico-Filho, Klinger S, Tavares, Bruno M, Cocentino, Brunno C B, Alvarez, Ananda Y Z, Moya, Maira F, Garzella, Priscila B, Da Silva, Marianilza L, Silva, Karen C C D, Flores, Thalyta, Petenate, Ademir J, Cristalda, Cristiane M R, De Barros, Claudia G and Vernal, Sebastian (2026). P-1100. Assessing Hand Hygiene on a Large Scale: Hospital Self-Assessment, Healthcare Workers’ Perception, and HAI Burden in Brazilian Institutions. Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 13 (Supplement_1) ofaf695.1295. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofaf695.1295
2025
Journal Article
A comprehensive strategy to mitigate institutional maternal mortality: lessons from a quality improvement initiative in Brazilian maternity hospitals
Borem, Paulo, Gushken, Andrea Keiko Fujinami, Gushken, Ana Paula, Pacagnella, Rodolfo De Carvalho, Petenate, Ademir Jose, Tuma, Paula, Pedrilio, Livia Sanches, Narino, Santiago, Barker, Pierre, de Barros, Claudia Garcia and Vernal, Sebastian (2025). A comprehensive strategy to mitigate institutional maternal mortality: lessons from a quality improvement initiative in Brazilian maternity hospitals. Global Health: Science and Practice, 13 (2) e2400130, e2400130. doi: 10.9745/ghsp-d-24-00130
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, 1-12. 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, e097515-4. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-097515
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
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) e0315933, e0315933. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0315933
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, 1-6. 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
2024
Journal Article
Estimating the savings of a national project to prevent healthcare-associated infections in intensive care units
Oliveira, R. M. C., de Sousa, A. H. F., de Salvo, M. A., Petenate, A. J., Gushken, A. K. F., Ribas, E., Torelly, E. M. S., Silva, K. C. C. D., Bass, L. M., Tuma, P., Borem, P., Ue, L. Y., de Barros, C. G. and Vernal, S. (2024). Estimating the savings of a national project to prevent healthcare-associated infections in intensive care units. Journal of Hospital Infection, 143, 8-17. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2023.10.001
2023
Journal Article
Adapting lean management to prevent healthcare-associated infections: a low-cost strategy involving Kamishibai cards to sustain bundles' compliance
Saavedra Bravo, Marco Antonio, Silva Dias Santos, Guilherme Cesar, Petenate, Ademir Jose, Westphal, Patrick Jacobsen, de Albuquerque Souza, Luciana Gouvea, Marques, Roberta Goncalves, Moura Morosov, Erica Deji, Fujinami Gushken, Andrea Keiko, Franco, Flavia Fernanda, Silva, Wladimir Garcia, de Moura, Rafaela Moraes, de Lima, Andreia Lopes, dos Santos, Renata Gonsalez, Andrade, Karina de Carvalho, Susin Hamada, Andreza Pivato, Reis Cristalda, Cristiane Maria, Ue, Luciana Yumi, de Barros, Claudia Garcia and Vernal, Sebastian (2023). Adapting lean management to prevent healthcare-associated infections: a low-cost strategy involving Kamishibai cards to sustain bundles' compliance. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 35 (4) mzad100. doi: 10.1093/intqhc/mzad100
2023
Journal Article
The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on a national project preventing healthcare-associated infections in intensive care units
Tuma, Paula, Vieira Junior, Jose M., Ribas, Elenara, Silva, Karen C. C. D., Gushken, Andrea K. F., Torelly, Ethel M. S., de Moura, Rafaela M., Tavares, Bruno M., Prandini, Cristiana M., Borem, Paulo, Delgado, Pedro, Ue, Luciana Y., de Barros, Claudia G. and Vernal, Sebastian (2023). The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on a national project preventing healthcare-associated infections in intensive care units. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 44 (12), 2071-2073. doi: 10.1017/ice.2023.146
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Sebastian Vernal Carranza is:
- Available for supervision
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