A two-day workshop organised by the RCPAQAP and the Australian Society for Microbiology will include lectures and hands-on microscopy sessions.

Target audience:

Laboratory scientists, Microbiology Registrars and Fellows involved in diagnostic testing, and anybody interested in knowing more about parasitology.

Areas to be covered:

Renowned international and national experts will share their technical knowledge in the clinical laboratory detection of parasites, interpretation of findings and reporting results. Lectures will cover blood, tissue, and faecal parasites, as well as new developments in molecular parasitology and whole-genome sequencing of parasites. Hands-on microscopy sessions will allow participants to analyse pre-stained slides containing various parasites routinely identified in the diagnostic laboratory. Other available diagnostic methods, such as serology and histology, will be covered. A section on Quality Assurance and a quiz including some zoonotic parasitic infections will also be presented.

Expected outcomes:

Participants are expected to gain skills in routine diagnostic parasitology and the most up-to-date knowledge in new technologies in medical parasitology.

Program:

	Day 1: Saturday 23 May 2026
8:30am – 9:00am	Registration
9:00am – 9:10am	Welcome & Introduction, Dr Harsha Sheorey & Dr Torsten Theis
9:10am – 10:40am	Session 1 Keynotes: Chair, Dr Harsha Sheorey · Dr Blaine Mathison: Arthropods of medical importance · Dr Richard Bradbury: Zoonotic parasites · Mr Stephen Neville: Case studies
10:40am – 11:00am	Morning tea
11:00am – 12:30pm	Session 2: Molecular Parasitology: Chair, Dr Richard Bradbury · Ms Francesca Azzato: Introduction to molecular parasitology · A/Prof Matthew Watts: Molecular test development · A/Prof Neil Young – WGS of parasites
12:30pm – 1:15pm	Lunch
1:15pm – 3:00pm	Session 3: Faeces microscopy 1: Chair, Mr Stephen Neville · Ms Thuy Phan & Mr Stephen Neville: Faeces microscopy 1 (Protozoa)
3:00pm – 3:20pm	Afternoon -tea
3:20pm – 5:00pm	Session 4: Faeces microscopy 2: Chair, Ms Janice Stavropoulos · Ms Janice Stavropoulos & Dr Graham Robertson: Faeces microscopy 2 (Helminths)
5:30pm – 7:30pm	Networking drinks and canapes: Space 338, 338 Queensberry St, North Melbourne VIC 3051

	Day 2: Sunday 24 May 2026
8:30am – 10:30am	Session 5 Keynotes: Chair, Dr Harsha Sheorey · Dr Blaine Mathison: Histopathology of parasitic infections · Dr Richard Bradbury: Identification of adult and sub-adult forms of helminths · Dr Jenny Robson: Serology and its role in diagnosis of parasitic infections
10:30am – 10:50am	Morning tea
10:50am – 12:30pm	Session 6: Malaria: Chair, Ms Francesca Azzato · Dr Rogan Lee: Blood parasites: morphological identification · Dr Rogan Lee: Blood parasites microscopy
12:30pm – 1:15pm	Lunch
1:15pm – 3:00pm	Session 7: AI / Virtual parasitology: Chair, Ms Thuy Phan · Dr Blaine Mathison: AI in parasitology · Mr Rory Gough: Virtual parasitology Introduction · Ms Diamond Kypriotis: Blood parasites VM · Ms Thuy Phan: Protozoa VM · Ms Janice Stavropoulos: Helminths VM
3:00pm – 3:20pm	Afternoon -tea
3:20pm – 5:00pm	Session 8: (Parasitology EQA / Quiz / Closing: Chair, Dr Torsten Theis · Dr Menuk Jayawardena: External quality assessment for parasitology · Dr Harsha Sheorey & Dr Blaine Mathison & Dr Richard Bradbury: Parasitology Quiz · Ms Francesca Azzato & Dr Torsten Theis: Closing remarks

In collaboration with:

Contact the host of RCPAQAP 2026 Parasitology Master Class