Prof Kedzierska features in Forbes 100
Professor Katherine Kedzierska, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, has been named in the 100 Forbes Women of 2020 (Poland).
The immunologist has led research at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity that identified four types of immune cells responsible for the fight with COVID-19.
“It's a very important step to understanding how the layout of the immune system fights the virus," she told Forbes Women in December.
"It may help determine why for some people unfortunately in this struggle they lose and die."
Prof Kedzierska's findings could help in the assessment of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine effectiveness.
Her University laboratory researches the immunity to viral infections, especially the newly emerged influenza viruses.
With work spanning basic research from mouse experiments to human immunity, through to clinical settings, Prof Kedzierska has a particular focus on understanding universal CD8+ T cell immunity to influenza viruses.
Her studies aim to identify key correlates of severe and fatal influenza disease in high-risk groups, including children, the elderly and Indigenous Australians.