PhD student Mr Miles Horton is investigating how immune T cells function in the hope of one day developing immune-based therapies.

His PhD research, supervised by Dr Susanne Heinzel and Professor Phil Hodgkin, is looking at how these critical cells acquire their disease-fighting functions and orchestrate protective and long-lasting immunity to infections.

“I’m so fortunate here at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute,” Miles said.

“I get to work with fundamental scientists and clinically-minded researchers, which encourages me to pursue a career across both worlds.”

Aspiring to be a clinician-scientist

After completing an undergraduate Biomedicine degree at The University of Melbourne with an Immunology major, Miles completed his Honours at the Institute in 2016 and started a medical degree in 2017.

For this he was awarded both the 2016 University of Melbourne Dean’s Honours Award as the top Bachelor of Biomedicine Honours student as well as our Colman Speed Honours Award in 2016.

“The Institute has excellent core facilities that are essential to my work, and collaboration with other laboratories is easy and productive,” Miles said.

“The institute represents a phenomenal example of high-quality multi-disciplinary research. Postgraduate training is both comprehensive and intellectually fulfilling.”

Earlier this year Miles was proud to present some of his work at the Oz Single Cells Conference.

“It was great hearing the enthusiasm and feedback from other researchers; it really feels like you’re connected to a broader community endeavour,” Miles said.

After his PhD, Miles hopes to return to the University of Melbourne and complete his medical studies.

“I hope to eventually become a clinician-scientist focusing on haematology or oncology.”