Stephanie Enkel

Dr. Stephanie Enkel is a public health researcher focused on reducing infectious-disease inequity through prevention-first, policy-informed, translational research. She has worked across research and policy to address the environmental and systems determinants of Streptococcus pyogenes and related infections, integrating field epidemiology, clinical trials, qualitative yarning, and economic evaluation. Dr. Enkel co-designs practical, scalable solutions with Aboriginal leaders and services to strengthen housing and hygiene infrastructure, improve vaccine acceptance and service delivery, and generate decision-grade evidence that shifts policy and practice under strong governance and Indigenous Data Sovereignty.

Dr. Enkel is presently a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention team at The Kids Research Institute Australia. Her training includes a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours (thesis on immunisation attitudes among vaccine-hesitant parents) and a double Masters in Public Health and International Public Health focused on infectious-disease control. Dr. Enkel has worked across drowning epidemiology, injury prevention, and rheumatic heart disease control, and served as a Policy Adviser to the Western Australian Minister for Health and Mental Health, gaining firsthand insight into how evidence, services, and politics intersect. Her guiding purpose is measurable, sustained reductions in infection and its sequelae, grounded in equity and accountability.