Events

The Doherty Institute and the University of Melbourne Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology warmly invites you to attend the Miegunyah Distinguished Fellowship Public Lecture presented by Professor Arup Chakraborty.

About Professor Arup Chakraborty

Professor Chakraborty is a pioneer in applying computational techniques to challenges in the field of immunology, including vaccine development. A Professor of Chemical Engineering, Physics and Chemistry at MIT, he is one of the 12 Institute Professors at MIT, the highest rank awarded to a MIT faculty member, and holds the John M. Deutch Institute Professorship. He served as the Founding Director of MIT’s Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, and he is a Founding Steering Commitee Member of the Ragon Institute of MIT, MGH and Harvard. Chakraborty is one of very few individuals who is a member of all three branches of the US National Academies (Engineering, Science, Medicine). 

For over two decades, Chakraborty’s work has focused on bringing together approaches from statistical physics, immunology, and virology. His interests span T cell signaling, development of the T cell repertoire, and a mechanistic understanding of virus evolution, antibody responses, and vaccine design.

Abstract

History is full of stories about plagues and contagion. Because of better sanitation and vaccines, many inhabitants of the 21st century had forgotten about the human and economic toll of infectious diseases - the COVID-19 pandemic was a vivid reminder. The rapid development of effective vaccines during this pandemic also reminded us of the impact of vaccines on well-being. Indeed, vaccination has saved more lives than any other medical procedure. Prof Chakraborty will discuss the historical evolution of the development of vaccines through six centuries. He will trace the path of scientific/technological advances along with stories about the people who led these efforts, and the health impacts of vaccination and beyond (including opposition to vaccines).

Program

6.00 - 6.45pm

Presentation from Professor Arup Chakraborty

6.45 - 7.00pm

Q&A

7.00 - 8.00pm

Drinks reception

Registration for online livestream available.