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Dean Cassano

International Health Project Officer
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Background

Dean’s primary interests are in HIV, sexual health, and LGBTQIA+ health. He joined Burnet in 2021 to support the research project ‘Ageing Well with HIV’ which focused on addressing the psychosocial and health needs of people living with HIV aged 50+ in Victoria, Australia, through an online platform that enhanced the reach and sustainability of existing local services.

Since then, Dean has moved into Burnet’s International Development team as project manager and technical adviser for the Sexual and Reproductive Health Integration Program (SRHIP) in Papua New Guinea. The technical focus of his work is on improving accessibility of HIV and sexual health services for key populations in Papua New Guinea, including female sex workers; men who have sex with men; and transgender women.

Alongside these roles, Dean also chairs the LGBTQIA+ subcommittee at Burnet Institute and is outreach volunteer with Thorne Harbour Health, a role he has held since 2018.

Qualifications

  • 2023: MPH – Global Health, University of Melbourne, Australia

  • 2015: BA – Foreign Language and Cultural Studies, University of Melbourne, Australia
Positions
  • 2022: International Health Project Officer, Burnet Institute
  • 2021: Research Assistant, Burnet Institute
Appointments

2023 – ongoing: Chair – Burnet Institute LGBTQIA+ Subcommittee

Awards
  • 2014: Global Mobility Scholarship, University of Melbourne