Pioneer of modern immunology visits Biomedicine students
Prof Jacques Miller AC gives guest lecture to Biomedicine mid year starters at Nucleus Homeroom.
There isn’t a single advance in vaccine, immunotherapy or autoimmunity research that doesn’t incorporate Jacques Miller's thinking.
Image: Prof Jacques Miller, Prof Robyn Slattery with Bachelor of Biomedicine students
Bachelor of Biomedicine students had the rare opportunity to learn from Professor Jacques Miller AC, the scientist who discovered the function of the thymus and identified the two major types of lymphocytes: T cells and B cells. Dr Fern Koay (DMI), a mentee of Prof Miller's, convened the Q&A with students.
For undergraduate student Samantha Thian, it was “an absolute honour – a dream come true to meet, talk and learn from him and to learn about his discovery of one of the most important function of the body, the thymus, t-cells and b-cells.”
Her biggest takeaway?
To have confidence and resilience in what I do. Jacques showed that even when his findings were criticised by leading researchers, he persisted – and proved he was right.
Prof Miller also reminded Samantha that it was important to make mistakes as that is how we learn.
Samantha says the lecture deepened her passion for immunology and opened her eyes to how a career in research can be both fun and interesting.
A reminder of how one discovery can reshape an entire field, and inspire the next generation to do the same.
The story featured on a number of MDHS social channels and has received high engagement on Instagram.