Governance

The Bo&MeRanG Committee

The Melbourne-Bonn Graduate Training Program was established in April 2016 and is governed by the Bo&MeRanG committee. The Committee is chaired by the Co-Directors and involves program coordinators and senior researchers from both the University of Melbourne and the University of Bonn. The Bo&MeRanG committee oversees operational activities and is responsible for defining program objectives, developing program identity and implementing strategic goals.

Program Director - Melbourne

Associate Professor Sammy Bedoui, MD



photo of Sammy Bedoui
Associate Professsor Sammy Bedoui

Principal Lecturer and Laboratory Head in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne.

Sammy has previously held positions at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne, the National Institute of Neuroscience in Tokyo and the Hannover Medical School

Sammy is Co-Director of the Melbourne-Bonn Graduate Training Program.

His research examines how dendritic cells and T cells interact during infections, with a particular interest in deciphering how specific innate signals shape these interactions. Sammy’s work has shed new light into understanding how dendritic cells integrate multiple signals into protective immunity against infections.

For more information visit Sammy's profile page on the Peter Doherty Institute website.

Program Director - Bonn

Professor Christian Kurts, MD



photo of Christian Kurts
Professsor Christian Kurts

Professor Kurts is the Director of the Institute of Experimental Immunology at the University of Bonn. Previously Christian has spent 3 years working at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne working with ProfessorJacques Miller. He then returned to Germany and was appointed Assistant Professor within the Department of Nephrology and Immunology at the University of Aachen. In 2003 Christian relocated to the University of Bonn, where he was appointed full Professor within the Molecular Immunology Department. Christian is Co-Director of the Melbourne-Bonn Graduate Training Program Bo&MeRanG.

His research examines the mechanisms governing antigen presentation and the ensuing immune response in the defence against infection and in immune-mediated disease.  His main research projects focus on the mechanisms of antigen cross-presentation to cytotoxic CD8 T cells, peripheral immunetolerance of T and B lymphocytes against self-antigens, and the role of dendritic cells in diseases, especially in kidney disease. For more information visit the Institute of Experimental Immunology website and Christian's profile page.

Dr Marie Greyer

Program Coordinator - Melbourne

Marie Greyer is the Bo&MeRanG coordinator in Melbourne.

She completed her BSc in Biological Sciences at the University of Reading before commencing a MSc in Integrated Immunology at the University of Oxford. In 2012  Marie was awarded a Melbourne International Research Scholarship to commence a PhD in the Laboratory of A/Prof Sammy Bedoui at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity. During her PhD Marie studied the mechanisms by which T cells ‘help’ DC to integrate multiple signals for the initiation of a protective immune response against viral infection. In 2016 Marie joined the Bo&MeRanG to coordinate between participating principle investigators, students and program directors. Her main responsibilities include the recruitment of students into the program and liaising with the Graduate School and Faculty on program and student matters. In close coordination with the Bo&MeRanG committee, Marie ensures that program objectives are met and implemented in accordance with core strategic goals.

Lucie Delforge

Program coordination - Bonn

Lucie Delforge is the counterpart of the Bo&MeRanG coordinator in Bonn.

With a BA in Business Administration she started her occupational career in 2009 within the Institute of Molecular Medicine and Experimental Immunology, University of Bonn. In October 2014 she also commenced an MSc in Public Management at the University of Kassel and is currently finalizing her thesis on Gender and Science. Lucie has played a vital part in the invention of the Bo&MeRanG over two years ago. Ever since, Lucie has implemented core strategic measures for the program in adherence with guidelines of the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the University of Bonn. Together with the coordination office in Melbourne she is also closely involved in the coordination between participating principles investigators, students and the Bo&MeRanG board. Her main responsibilities include the coordination of the training program,  administrative support of exchange students and overseeing adherence to graduate guidelines.

Program Funding

The Bo&MeRanG is supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) and the University of Melbourne through the International Research and Research Training Fund (IRRTF). With a total of AUS$10 million in funding approved until 2020, the Bo&MeRanG provides joint PhD placements for up to 30 students across both institutions. More information about the DFG's International Research Training Group scheme can be found at:

http://www.immunosensation.de/public-outreach-press-media/press-and-media/details/article/melbourne-bonn-excellence-academy-bm-axis-starts.html

http://mdhs.unimelb.edu.au/news-and-events/melbourne-and-bonn-join-forces-in-$10m-research-training-group

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