Laura Mackay
Mackay in 2021
Alma materUniversity of Birmingham (PhD)
Known forIdentification and role of tissue-resident memory T cells
Awards
Scientific career
FieldsImmunology
Institutions

Laura K. Mackay FAHMS is an internationally-recognised immunologist and Professor of Immunology at the University of Melbourne. Mackay is the Theme Leader in Immunology and Laboratory Head at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity.[4][5] In 2022, she was the youngest ever Fellow elected to the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.[6][7]

Early life and education

Mackay completed her undergraduate degree in Biological Science at the University of Warwick in 2004, Masters of Science at the University of Birmingham in 2005 and PhD under the supervision of Professor Alan B. Rickinson, an expert in the research of Epstein-Barr virus[8] in 2009. She undertook postdoctoral training with Professor Francis Carbone at The University of Melbourne.[9] During this period, she was the first to describe the molecular program and developmental features that underpin immune cell tissue residence.[10]

Career and Research

Mackay established her research Laboratory at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity at the University of Melbourne in 2016. She was appointed as Senior Lecturer in 2016, Associate-Professor in 2018, and full Professor in 2019. Mackay is also the Theme Leader in Immunology for the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity.[5][9] She has made significant contributions to the field of T cell memory and tissue immunity, with Mackay being listed as a Highly Cited Researcher™ annually since 2019.[11][12]

In 2018, Mackay was appointed as the President of The Federation of Immunological Sciences of Asia-Oceania (FIMSA).[13] During her tenure, Mackay was the first female and youngest serving President of the organisation.

In 2022, Mackay was the youngest ever Fellow elected to the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, with the citation on election describing her as “an internationally recognised expert in T cell immunity, contributing landmark papers that have defined how memory T cell responses are generated in body tissues”.[14]

Scientific Outreach

Mackay serves on the Scientific Advisory Boards for journals Cell, Science Immunology and Trends in Immunology.[5][9] She is the co-organiser of Global Immunotalks, an online seminar series posted on YouTube featuring world-leading immunologists presenting cutting-edge research, which aims to make the newest discoveries accessible to a global audience.[15] Mackay is also a co-host on National Triple R Radio science show, Einstein-A-Go-Go, communicating science and the latest research to the public.[16] Mackay has been interviewed by Science on diversity in STEM,[17] ABC Radio National Science Show on the influence of science on public good,[18] and had her career and research on tissue-resident memory T cells profiled by Pursuit.[19][8]

Awards, honours and recognition

Selected publications

References

  1. 1 2 Department of Industry, Science (16 October 2019). "2019 Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year". Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  2. 1 2 "2019 Australian Museum Eureka Prize winners". The Australian Museum. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Laura Mackay, Ph.D." Human Vaccines Project. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  4. 1 2 "Professor Laura Mackay | Doherty Website". www.doherty.edu.au. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 "Prof Laura Mackay". findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  6. ↑ Riley, Robyn. "Immunologist's remarkable journey to high accolade". Herald Sun. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  7. ↑ Weeden, Emilia (19 October 2022). "Professor Laura Mackay becomes youngest fellow elected to the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences". School of Biomedical Sciences. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  8. 1 2 "Fighting infection with curiosity". Pursuit. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 "Professor Laura Mackay | Doherty Website". www.doherty.edu.au. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  10. ↑ Fehervari, Zoltan (6 December 2022). "An elegant defence". Nature Research.
  11. ↑ "Web of Science". www.webofscience.com. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  12. ↑ Institute, The Doherty (23 November 2022). "Doherty Institute's highly cited researchers in 2022". www.doherty.edu.au. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  13. ↑ Institute, The Doherty (22 November 2018). "Dr Laura Mackay appointed first female president of Asia-Pacific immunology body". www.doherty.edu.au. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  14. ↑ "Professor Laura Mackay - AAHMS". aahms.org. 14 October 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  15. ↑ "2023 Organizers". Global Immunotalks: Free virtual immunology seminars. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  16. ↑ "Programs: Einstein A Go-Go — Triple R 102.7FM, Melbourne Independent Radio". www.rrr.org.au. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  17. ↑ "The importance of diversity in STEM: A conversation with Dr. Laura Mackay". www.science.org. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  18. ↑ "Science and the public good". ABC Radio National. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  19. ↑ Melbourne, Andrew Trounson, University of (5 August 2018). "The cells giving our immune system more punch". Pursuit. Retrieved 7 April 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  20. ↑ Institute, The Doherty (19 October 2023). "Immunology trailblazer Professor Laura Mackay named inaugural AAMRI Rising Star". www.doherty.edu.au. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  21. ↑ Rowney, Katie (6 September 2023). "First responders in our skin and gut revealed: Prof Laura Mackay - AAHMS". aahms.org. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  22. ↑ "Award winner redefining the field of immunological memory". LEO Foundation. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  23. ↑ Shanahan, Rachel (14 October 2022). "Professor Laura Mackay". Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  24. ↑ Sandler, Lanny (28 April 2023). "Woodward Medallists". Research Funding. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  25. ↑ "Mackay, Laura – Biographical entry". Encyclopedia of Australian Science. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  26. ↑ "Dr Laura Mackay". AIPS. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
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