24 Sep 2024
Dr Oanh Nguyen and Dr Louise Rowntree awarded prestigious Woodard medal
Researchers Dr Oanh Nguyen and Dr Louise Rowntree from the Doherty Institute have been awarded the University of Melbourne 2024 Woodard medal (Science and Technology) for their work on human T cell responses to respiratory viral pathogens.
The Woodward medals are awarded each year for research that has made a significant contribution to knowledge in a field of science and technology, or humanities and social sciences. The awards were established by former University Chancellor Sir Edward Woodward and Lady Woodward.
Drs Nguyen and Rowntree, who are based in Professor Katherine Kedzierska’s Human T cell Laboratory at the Doherty Institute, published three comprehensive papers that contributed to the rapid field of SARS-CoV-2 and to global understanding of how the immune system fights against COVID-19.
“It is such an honour and privilege to be awarded the University of Melbourne’s Woodward medal,” Dr Rowntree said.
Dr Louise Rowntree in the lab
Bringing together Dr Nguyen’s clinical immune analysis expertise and Dr Rowntree’s expertise in how T-cells recognise viruses, the partnership expanded global comprehension of T-cell immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in adults and children. Applying these findings, they evaluated COVID-19 vaccines and immune responses in high-risk groups such as blood cancer patients.
“When SARS-CoV-2 emerged, research was urgently needed to understand the immune response – how it protects from infection and how it can malfunction and cause severe disease,” Dr Nguyen said.
Dr Oanh Nguyen holding frozen samples
As emerging female leaders, Drs Nguyen and Rowntree are mentored by Professor Kedzierska, a renowned expert in immunity to respiratory viruses.
“We are so grateful for the support of our supervisor, Professor Katherine Kedzierska, who 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 Rowntree said.
The Corona Queens (L-R) Professor Katherine Kedzierska, Dr Louise Rowntree & Dr Oanh Nguyen
The medal continues to be outstanding recognition for the team. In 2023, Dr Nguyen, Dr Rowntree and Professor Kedzierska – dubbed the ‘Corona Queens’ – received the Eureka Prize for their contributions to COVID-19 infectious disease research. Read more.