Dr Oanh Nguyen and Dr Louise Rowntree, awarded 2024 Woodward Medal for their world-leading work on human T cell responses to respiratory viral pathogens

The University’s Woodward medal is awarded each year to outstanding researchers that have made a significant contribution to knowledge in the field of science and technology, and humanities and social sciences.

Congratulations to Dr Oanh Nguyen, Senior Research Fellow, and Dr Louise Rowntree, Research Fellow from the Department of Microbiology & Immunology, awarded the 2024 Woodward Medal in Science and Technology by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor.

It is such an honour and privilege to be awarded the University of Melbourne Woodward medal.

"When SARS-CoV-2 emerged, research was urgently needed to understand the immune response – how it protects from infection and how it can malfunction causing severe disease.

Our work contributed to the global understanding of how the human immune system fights against COVID-19. We applied these finding to evaluate COVID-19 vaccines and immune responses in high-risk groups like blood cancer patients.   

We are so grateful for the support of our supervisor, Professor Katherine Kedzierska. Katherine has been researching immunity to viral infections and vaccinations for many years, and it is her support and mentorship that has allowed us to flourish”.

-- Dr Oanh Nguyen and Dr Louise Rowntree

Centre front Dr Oanh Nguyen, A/Prof Katherine Kedzierska and Dr Louise Rowntree with colleagues from the Kedzierska Laboratory. 

Established by Sir Edward Woodward, a former University Chancellor, and Lady Woodward, the Woodward Medals are awarded annually to University of Melbourne staff for research published in the preceding five years considered to have made the most significant contribution to knowledge and research excellence in fields relating to Science and Technology and Humanities and Social Sciences, respectively.

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Dr Oanh Nguyen, Senior Research Fellow, Department of Microbiology & Immunology

Dr Louise Rowntree, Research Fellow, Department of Microbiology & Immunology

Kedzierska Laboratory: Immunity to pandemic and newly emerged influenza viruses

The Woodward Medal

Woodward Medallists, Researcher Development Schemes

Woodward Medals, Grant application Information