Charlene Kahler is currently a Professor in Microbiology at the School of Biomedical Sciences at UWA. She obtained her BSc (honours in Microbiology) at the University of Queensland and undertook post-doctoral training at Emory University (Atlanta, Georgia) and Monash University in Neisseria biology. She established her research laboratory at University of Western Australia in 2005 and her work has focüssed on bacterial pathogenesis, epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance development of both Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. She is currently a member of the Centre for Research Excellence in Neisseria disease control, a national team led by Professor Helen Marshall, investigating a vaccine for dual use against meningococcal disease and gonorrhoea. She is currently Head of Discipline for Microbiology and Immunology and the Director of the Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Training at University of Western Australia. The Marshall centre research focus areas are gut, sexual and respiratory health and brings together many scientific groups across WA. Her greatest accomplishment is assisting her students through their PhDs and seeing them fulfil their career goals.