31 Oct 2023
Dr Jennifer Juno awarded the prestigious Woodward Medal for Science and Technology
University of Melbourne’s Dr Jennifer Juno, Laboratory Head in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Doherty Institute, was awarded the Woodward Medal for her research on T cells in protective immune responses to vaccination.
Dr Juno’s research seeks to understand the mechanisms by which T cells help drive long-lasting protective immune responses to vaccination. Her research focused on the role of CD4 T follicular helper cells and their ability to promote high-quality antibody responses against globally important viral pathogens such as influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and HIV. Her timely collection and novel analysis of large-scale blood samples provided rapid insight into vaccine efficacy during a critical period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Juno’s body of work has significantly extended the understanding of protective immunity to novel pathogens and informed rational vaccine design, generating intense scientific and media interest.
Since 2010, Dr Juno has published 27 first or senior author papers, many in top-tier journals, including Nature Immunology, Immunity, Nature Communications and Cell Reports.
One of Dr Juno’s main research goals is to understand the immune responses that protect from viral infection, and to use that information to improve vaccines. This is particularly important for pathogens that currently lack effective vaccines, for pandemic preparedness efforts and for protecting groups who respond sub-optimally to existing vaccines.
The Woodward Medal is an annual award established by former University Chancellor, Sir Edward Woodward and Lady Woodward. The Woodward Medal in Science and Technology and the Woodward Medal in Humanities and Social Sciences are awarded by the University of Melbourne for research published in the preceding five years considered to have made the most significant contribution to knowledge in each field.
Upon receiving the award, Dr Juno said, “It’s an honour that the University has recognised my work in viral immunology. It reflects the hard work and collaboration in my team.”
Many talented and dedicated Doherty Institute researchers from the School of Social Biomedical Sciences have been awarded this prestigious medal over the years including:
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Professor Laura Mackay, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, 2019
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Professor Katherine Kedzierska, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, 2018
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Dale Godfrey, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, 2013
Learn more about the Woodward Medal and Woodward Medallists.