29 Nov 2016
Katherine Kedzierska awarded the Selwyn-Smith Medical Research Prize
Professor Katherine Kedzierska has received the prestigious University of Melbourne Selwyn-Smith Medical Research Prize in recognition of her notable research achievements in the past three years.
Awarded by the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, the prize is awarded to the candidate whose original research has made the most important contribution to medicine since the last award of the prize.
Professor Kedzierska’s research is centred on understanding the key factors driving the generation of optimal immunity in viral infections, especially pandemic, seasonal and newly emerged influenza viruses.
Her research achievements during the past three years include understanding immune mechanisms driving recovery from severe avian H7N9 disease, genetic correlates of severe and fatal H7N9 disease, and that Indigenous populations are more vulnerable to the newly emerged influenza strains.
“I am deeply honoured to receive the Selwyn-Smith Medical Research Prize. This award recognises many research studies performed by my amazing team,” Professor Kedzierska said.
“I feel highly privileged to work with such talented and outstanding young researchers. The Selwyn-Smith Medical Research Prize also reflects the highly supportive environment within the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute and the University of Melbourne.”