Distinguished immunology researchers Professor Sharon Lewin and Associate Professor Misty Jenkins will explore the significant scientific contributions of Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet OM KBE FAA FRS FRSNZ, recent developments in immunology, and what the field may offer in the future.
A Nobel Laureate and Academy Founding Fellow, Burnet is considered one of the 20th century’s greatest scientists. He made significant contributions to bacteriology, virology and immunology during his 59-year career, most of which was spent at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) in Melbourne.
Burnet made important discoveries about viral diseases including influenza, herpes, poliomyelitis and Murray Valley encephalitis, as well as bacterial diseases including psittacosis and Q fever. Later in life, he went on to lecture and write extensively about problems of human biology, ageing and cancer.
Since then, the study of the immune system and how it functions has continued to develop and play a crucial role in shaping our everyday lives – from understanding allergies, to vaccinations, personalised medicine, organ donations and cancer treatments.
In the past decade in particular, the understanding and development of new immunotherapies has undergone a revolution.
Join us to hear from Professor Lewin and Associate Professor Jenkins about these latest advances, the amazing work they both do, and how they think immunology will continue to evolve and shape our future. Whether you’re a student, a healthcare professional, or simply curious about the fascinating world of immunology, this event promises to inform and inspire!
There will be an additional special celebration before the talks to mark the Academy’s 70th anniversary (falling on Friday 16 February). All guests are invited to arrive from 5.00pm for brief speeches at 5.30pm. The talks will begin at the regular time of 6.00pm AEDT.
Sharon Lewin is the inaugural director of the Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity and the recently established Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics. She is an infectious diseases physician, basic scientist and President of the International AIDS Society. She has authored more than 360 publications and given more than 100 major international invited talks on the search for an HIV cure. Her research focuses on understanding why HIV persists and finding a cure for HIV infection. Professor Lewin has received numerous awards and played a major leadership role in the COVID-19 response in Australia.
Misty Jenkins is an NHMRC Fellow and laboratory head in the Immunology Division at WEHI. Associate Professor Jenkins leads the immunotherapy program within The Brain Cancer Centre and is dedicated to discovering novel immunotherapy targets for high grade gliomas in adults and children. Her research focuses on the development of novel chimeric antigen receptor T cells for brain cancer. Her group also uses cutting edge two-photon microscopy combined with mouse models of brain cancer to investigate the tumour microenvironment and uncover the unique biology of brain tumours.
Date: Tuesday 13 February 2024
Venue: The Shine Dome Canberra, and online livestream
Time: Refreshments and the Academy’s 70th anniversary celebrations: 5.00pm–6.00pm. Talks and audience Q&A: 6.00pm–7.00pm AEDT
*Normal timing will resume for all other events in the series.
Cost: $17 to attend in person, free online
Series passes: are available for $85 to attend all six events in the series. These passes are available until Tuesday 13 February.
Australian Academy of Science biographical memoir
The Australian Academy of Science’s public speaker series in 2024, our 70th anniversary year, will look at our history and into our future.
In each instalment, we will follow the story of one scientific discipline, with an Academy Fellow and an early-career researcher as our expert guides.
Across geology, virology, astronomy and more, we will trace our science history from landmark discoveries to the present cutting edge of Australian science.
Along the way, we will get to know the Academy’s iconic earliest Fellows who shaped Australian science: from Mark Oliphant to Frank Fenner to Dorothy Hill. We will experience the challenges and curly conundrums they grappled with, celebrate their triumphs and breakthroughs, and look ahead to today’s emerging generation of top minds following in their footsteps.
More information about the whole series is available on the series webpage.
Series passes to attend in person ($85) or online (free) are available until Tuesday 13 February. Tickets to individual events are also available for $17 (in person) or free (online).
events@science.org.au
Distinguished immunology researchers Professor Sharon Lewin and Associate Professor Misty Jenkins will explore the significant scientific contributions of Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet OM KBE FAA FRS FRSNZ, recent developments in immunology, and what the field may offer in the future.
A Nobel Laureate and Academy Founding Fellow, Burnet is considered one of the 20th century’s greatest scientists. He made significant contributions to bacteriology, virology and immunology during his 59-year career, most of which was spent at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) in Melbourne.
Burnet made important discoveries about viral diseases including influenza, herpes, poliomyelitis and Murray Valley encephalitis, as well as bacterial diseases including psittacosis and Q fever. Later in life, he went on to lecture and write extensively about problems of human biology, ageing and cancer.
Since then, the study of the immune system and how it functions has continued to develop and play a crucial role in shaping our everyday lives – from understanding allergies, to vaccinations, personalised medicine, organ donations and cancer treatments.
In the past decade in particular, the understanding and development of new immunotherapies has undergone a revolution.
Join us to hear from Professor Lewin and Associate Professor Jenkins about these latest advances, the amazing work they both do, and how they think immunology will continue to evolve and shape our future. Whether you’re a student, a healthcare professional, or simply curious about the fascinating world of immunology, this event promises to inform and inspire!
There will be an additional special celebration before the talks to mark the Academy’s 70th anniversary (falling on Friday 16 February). All guests are invited to arrive from 5.00pm for brief speeches at 5.30pm. The talks will begin at the regular time of 6.00pm AEDT.
Sharon Lewin is the inaugural director of the and the recently established . She is an infectious diseases physician, basic scientist and President of the International AIDS Society. She has authored more than 360 publications and given more than 100 major international invited talks on the search for an HIV cure. Her research focuses on understanding why HIV persists and finding a cure for HIV infection. Professor Lewin has received numerous awards and played a major leadership role in the COVID-19 response in Australia.
Misty Jenkins is an NHMRC Fellow and laboratory head in the . Associate Professor Jenkins leads the immunotherapy program within and is dedicated to discovering novel immunotherapy targets for high grade gliomas in adults and children. Her research focuses on the development of novel chimeric antigen receptor T cells for brain cancer. Her group also uses cutting edge two-photon microscopy combined with mouse models of brain cancer to investigate the tumour microenvironment and uncover the unique biology of brain tumours.
Date: Tuesday 13 February 2024
Venue: The Shine Dome Canberra, and online livestream
Time: Refreshments and the Academy’s 70th anniversary celebrations: 5.00pm–6.00pm. Talks and audience Q&A: 6.00pm–7.00pm AEDT
*Normal timing will resume for all other events in the series.
Cost: $17 to attend in person, free online
Series passes: are available for $85 to attend all six events in the series. These passes are available until Tuesday 13 February.
The Australian Academy of Science’s public speaker series in 2024, our 70th anniversary year, will look at our history and into our future.
In each instalment, we will follow the story of one scientific discipline, with an Academy Fellow and an early-career researcher as our expert guides.
Across geology, virology, astronomy and more, we will trace our science history from landmark discoveries to the present cutting edge of Australian science.
Along the way, we will get to know the Academy’s iconic earliest Fellows who shaped Australian science: from Mark Oliphant to Frank Fenner to Dorothy Hill. We will experience the challenges and curly conundrums they grappled with, celebrate their triumphs and breakthroughs, and look ahead to today’s emerging generation of top minds following in their footsteps.
More information about the whole series is available on the .
to attend in person ($85) or online (free) are available until Tuesday 13 February. are also available for $17 (in person) or free (online).
events@science.org.au
© 2024 Australian Academy of Science
