SBS researchers named as Eureka Prize finalists

A/Prof Laura Mackay and Dr Mark Davies, Strep Genomics Team, have been shortlisted for the 2019 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes

A total of 50 entries were shortlisted for 17 Eureka Prizes with the winners to be announced on 28 August 2019.

Associate Professor Laura Mackay, Laboratory Head at the Peter Doherty Institute in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, has been shortlisted for the Macquarie University Eureka Prize for Outstanding Early Career Researcher.

As a research leader in immunological memory, Associate Professor Mackay’s research has found that a novel population of immune cells called tissue-resident T cells are critical for immune protection against infection and cancer. The goal of Associate Professor Mackay’s research program is to identify ways to augment tissue-resident T cell formation and function to provide enhanced local immunity, and to develop new approaches to utilise tissue-resident T cells for next generation vaccines. For further info visit: A/Prof Laura Mackay, Doherty Institute.

The Strep Genomics Team, headed up by Dr Mark Davies, Laboratory Head at the Peter Doherty Institute in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, has been selected as a finalist for the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research.

Dr Davies said the team have pioneered the use of cutting-edge genomic approaches to yield novel insight into the global population structure of streptococcal pathogens including the molecular signatures behind the alarming re-emergence of a classic Victorian era infection, scarlet fever. To find out more visit: Dr Mark Davies, Doherty Institute

As Australia’s most comprehensive national science awards, the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes recognise excellence across research & innovation, leadership, science engagement, and school science. Presented annually, they celebrate outstanding achievement in science. View the full list of finalists here.