When it comes to tackling AMR at a national level, Christina Bareja is at the forefront. As the Director of the Antimicrobial Resistance Policy and Surveillance Section at the Interim Australian Centre for Disease Control (IACDC), she leads a team that strengthens the evidence base and drives action to combat AMR. While her focus is on human health, Christina works across government sectors to ensure a truly One Health approach.

Beyond policy and surveillance, Christina is also the Editor of Communicable Diseases Intelligence (CDI), a peer-reviewed journal that shares critical research on disease prevention and control. With a background in epidemiology and national disease surveillance—covering everything from tuberculosis to COVID-19—she brings deep expertise to the fight against AMR and is proud to serve on SAAFE CRC’s Policy and Regulatory Advisory Committee, supporting a coordinated, cross-sectoral response to AMR.

Juggling work with a young family, life is full, but Christina manages to find time to enjoy the creative challenge of sewing—she sees making something with form and function out of fabric and thread as a superpower.