Prof Jenkins has made significant strides as a cancer immunologist, with exceptional contributions to promising new pathways for brain cancer treatment including CAR T cell immunology therapy.  

Some of her most recent discoveries offer hope to not only target and kill cancer cells for severe brain cancer, but also trigger a long-lasting immune response, preventing future tumour growth.  

The election to ATSE acknowledges the innovative nature of Prof Jenkins’ discoveries, but also the profound potential that they offer for one of the world’s deadliest cancers. 

“I feel honoured to receive the award and deeply privileged to join this community that fosters, drives and leverages innovation and excellence in STEM in ways that have the power to make paradigm shifts that can influence therapies for patients,” she said.  

ATSE Fellows are globally recognised for their game-changing excellence and innovation in STEM. 

Prof Jenkins is excited that the fellowship shines a spotlight on her team’s groundbreaking work, bringing attention to their efforts in transforming the brain cancer narrative. 

“Our vision is to revolutionise brain cancer treatment – like what has been achieved for other cancers. It truly is an exciting time in the field of cancer research to find solutions to issues that were once considered insurmountable. I could not do this without my team.”  

Prof Jenkins’ research, focused on developing CAR T cell therapeutics for brain cancer, seamlessly straddles fundamental discovery research with clinical application. 

She has advanced the cancer immunotherapy frontier through her program’s discoveries of unique brain cancer targets, creation of assays vital for novel CAR T cell therapies, and development of live cell imaging. 

The honour also highlights Prof Jenkins’ leadership and dedication as a mentor and role model, actively promoting gender equity in STEM and Indigenous representation.  

“My ultimate ambition is to discover a cure for brain cancer while also mentoring the next generation of outstanding medical researchers,” she said.  

A passionate advocate for women in STEM, Prof Jenkins was a founding member of the Women in Science Program in the Parkville precinct. 

Of Gunditjmara descent, Prof Jenkins is an influential contributor to First Nations affairs and actively shapes federal policy. She has chaired the board of the National Centre of Indigenous Genomics and co-chaired the MRFF Indigenous Health Research Fund, among other high-profile appointments. 

Prof Jenkins was the first Indigenous Australian to attend Oxford and Cambridge Universities as a postdoctoral research fellow.  

Drawing from this experience, she played a crucial role in creating a national scholarship program for First Nations Australians to study at Oxford and Cambridge Universities in England. Before 2010, no Indigenous Australians were studying at these renowned institutions.  

“I am very proud that this initiative means more than 50 Indigenous Australians have either graduated or are currently studying in STEM fields such as mathematics, neuroscience and microbiology, with a 100% completion rate.” 

The election to ATSE is testimony to Prof Jenkins’ growing reputation as a world leader in finding cures for cancers and new ways to treat disease, with other recent honours including:  

• inducted as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to medical science as an immunologist, to the promotion of women in STEM, and dedicated service to the Indigenous community (2023) 
• induction onto the Victorian Honour Roll of Women (2020)
•  Westpac/Financial Review Top 100 Women of Influence Award (2016), the International ZONTA women’s award for leadership (2019), CSIRO Professional Achievement Award (2018) and L’Oreal for Women in Science Fellowship (2013). 

ATSE President Dr Katherine Woodthorpe AO FTSE said the 32 new Fellows elected in 2024 were the thinkers and doers at the forefront of Australian discoveries, technological breakthroughs and future industries.

“This diverse group of Australia’s brightest stars in technology and engineering embodies progress, hope and unparalleled innovation in the face of these challenges,” she said. 

“Our Fellows are bridging from discovery to shaping new industries in the ultimate service of better living for all Australians and the world.” 

–

Header image: Professor Misty Jenkins AO speaking at the inaugural International Brain Tumour Research Summit, Australia, 2024.