WEHI Special Immunology Seminar hosted by Associate Professor Joanna Groom

Dr Danika Hill

Laboratory Head – Precision Vaccinology Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Monash University

Uncovering immune memory to Group A Streptococcus in lymphoid tissues and human challenge models

Davis Auditorium

Join via TEAMS

Including Q&A session

A vaccine is urgently needed prevent Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes, GAS) diseases. A significant barrier is the limited understanding of which antigens elicit beneficial (durable and protective) versus harmful (autoreactive) immune memory in humans, the sole natural host of S. pyogenes.  To address this challenge, my laboratory uses systems approaches to study immune responses in humans following both natural and experimental S. pyogenes infections. Our research has revealed how pre-existing immunity can affect susceptibility to or protection from pharyngitis, and that immunological memory develops against key vaccine antigens in both lymphoid tissues and blood following infection. This research lays the groundwork for development of immunogenic vaccines and novel therapeutics to reduce the immense global burden of GAS diseases.

Danika Hill leads the Precision Vaccinology laboratory in the Department of Immunology at Monash University, working to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underpin robust responses to vaccination and infection, with a particular interest in T follicular helper cells and the Germinal Centre response. Dr Hill completed a PhD at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, and a postdoc at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge supported by an NHMRC CJ Martin Fellowship. Danika joined Monash University in 2020 and started her own lab in 2023. Her research is supported by the Michelson Prize from the Human Immunome Project, and has ongoing partnerships with leading vaccine developers (e.g. GSK, Dynavax).

All welcome!