Associate Professor Eric Chow’s scientific discoveries in the field of sexual health are radically improving how the medical community manages and treats sexually transmissible infections. 

Combining his expertise in epidemiology and biostatistics, Eric’s outstanding research in the sexual health field has identified that saliva can carry infectious gonorrhoea, and kissing may be a risk factor for pharyngeal gonorrhoea.  

Through several national studies and clinical trials, Eric is also exploring whether mouthwash can be used as prevention and treatment for gonorrhoea. If positive, the outcomes of this work could reduce over-reliance on antibiotics, as antimicrobial resistance in gonorrhoea has been an emerging public health concern globally.  

In his work with Alfred Health’s Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, and Monash University’s Central Clinical School, Eric is also leading several projects to evaluate the impact of the school-based human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program for young men and women. 

A respected academic, Eric is credited with 160 publications and is considered the fourth most active academic in his field internationally. He also devotes time to community engagement activities to improve sexual health advocacy and knowledge in the community.