Celebrating women in STEM

As a clinician and researcher Jeanne is dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with colorectal cancer. A focus of her research is developing ways to predict how a patient will respond to treatment, and likelihood of disease recurrence after surgery.

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Onisha is a structural biologist studying the shape and architecture of protein molecules to understand how they become faulty and cause cancer to spread. Onisha is a Superstar of STEM, is passionate about science communication through art, and promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM fields.

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Belle is an Aboriginal pharmacist and program coordinator originally from the Southern Coast of South Australia (Ngarrindjeri). Belle’s current role as the Australian Alliance of Indigenous Genomics (ALIGN) Victorian Program Coordinator, based at WEHI, focuses on improving the access to, and utility of, immunogenomics medicine for First Peoples and empowering Indigenous led immunogenomics research, contributing to a national genomics equity agenda.

Discovering how ‘good’ T cells supress ‘bad’ T cells has led Esther to discover a method that could revolutionise testing and treatment for type 1 diabetes.

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Helene began at WEHI as a research scientist, before moving into management and operational roles. Her work has included liaising between our scientists and corporate groups to coordinate delivery of high-quality services and facilities.

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As the inaugural Chair of our Consumer Advisory Panel, Dr Slocombe was instrumental in shaping the CAP’s mission, fostering collaboration between researchers and consumers, and strengthening the voice of lived experience in research.

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Misty investigates white blood cells, the ‘serial killers’ of the immune system. Her work in science and the community has been recognised here and internationally, she is an advocate for women in STEMM and encourages Aboriginal students into the scientific field.

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Rhiannon has been living, breathing and reading science. In 2016, Rhiannon achieved her Honours in the same year as reading 366 scientific papers in 366 days (2016 being a leap year).

Often called the face of WEHI, Rosie uses her extensive knowledge and experience of the organisation to help our staff, students, visitors and supporters every day.

Wai-Hong is deciphering interactions between parasite and human proteins to discover new ways to prevent malarial blood stage infection. As the COVID-19 pandemic emerged Wai-Hong worked with collaborators to identify antibodies that can block coronavirus infection.

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Before accounting and leadership positions in corporate business, Jane completed a double degree in biochemistry and physiology. Her path back to research has been deeply personal, providing a complex perspective on the challenges facing science and the people it effects.

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While completing her PhD in Jerusalem, Emanuela discovered inspiration on the other side of the world, leading to a potential vaccine.

“Actuated by the desire to do something noble for the country in which her husband had met with a substantial reward for his labor,” in 1912 Eliza founded the Walter and Eliza Hall Trust, which led to the establishment of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Research in Pathology and Medicine.

Rhea was the joint winner of the 2020 Burnet Prize, our top science prize, in recognition of her research into immunity to ‘vivax’ malaria, which has the potential to enhance malaria surveillance and elimination in the Asia-Pacific.

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One of the first three staff members of the Institute, Fannie was a bacteriologist in WWI and contributed to ground-breaking work in combating dysentery.

Managing WEHI’s COVID-19 response was no easy task, but Joh ensured the systems and information channels were in place to enable vital research and services to safely continue throughout the pandemic.

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In the 1970s, Ora’s expertise in DNA sequencing placed her at the forefront of molecular biology. Her most significant discovery showed how a specific gene impacts the spread of cancer.

Lynn forged a reputation as a mentor for young scientists and a champion of the next generation of women coming into the laboratory.

As co-deputy director of the Snow Centre for Immune Health, Vanessa is looking to answer vital questions about human immune disorders.

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A pioneer in scientific mouse breeding, Margaret dedicated 50 years to WEHI, making significant contributions to immunology research, and was central in the successful management of the organisation.

Susan has been a good friend to WEHI over many years, her fundraising efforts have greatly assisted in our work to understand how type 1 diabetes develops and in finding treatments for this life changing disease.

Jane has received awards for her breast cancer research from across the world, but it’s the search for the key to improve disease outcomes that truly inspires her.

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Keeping one step ahead of cancer is Clare’s motivational drive. Her ambition is to apply insights fast emerging from blood models to understand solid tumours.

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Suzanne is an eminent molecular biologist with a record of significant achievements in immunology and cancer research. In her role as WEHI director, Suzanne embraced new scientific disciplines and changed the face of the organization, securing funding for the $185 million Parkville redevelopment.

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Jacqui’s studies into cellular machinery at a molecular level aims to understand both how proteins transport molecules in and out of cells and how this function is regulated.

Working in a culture of collaboration and cooperation, Melissa’s interest in understanding the activation of immune cells has led to exploring cell communication pathways for cancer, infection and immune disorder treatment opportunities.

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As a medical researcher, Tracy clearly sees “we donate our lives and our brains to what we do, and hopefully by the time we get to the end of our careers we’ve discovered something exciting … something that patients are receiving, that is improving their lives”.

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Hailed a martyr to science, Dora’s contributions to scientific outcomes include journal articles on influenza, myxomatosis and the herpes simplex virus, as well as significant insights into scrub typhus, the disease that ultimately killed her.

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Working with animals in research is not easy, but it’s incredibly valuable. Gill managed the animal facilities in Kew and always put the welfare of the animal first.

Heather’s academic and professional success gained her a public profile, including her collaboration with UK scientists to pioneer the use of electron microscopy to study influenza.

Now our Deputy Director, Marnie was 27 when she discovered a ‘new’ gene; her work has progressed to help uncover genetic causes of problems including late miscarriage and muscular dystrophy.

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Working closely with clinician researchers to examine genetic disorders, Melanie develops new methods to analyse complex data, producing software that is freely available to others and thereby aiding many research fields.

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Under Kelly’s leadership WEHI’s Centre for Dynamic Imaging established itself as a world-class imaging facility. Now as head of the Advanced Technology and Biology division she is enabling even more researchers to work at the cutting edge of discoveries in human biology.

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Johanna’s fascination with gut health and development took her from research work at WEHI into a post-lab curatorial career with Museums Victoria.

Alum Samantha helped our breast cancer research team in their search for new treatments. When she’s not in the lab, she’s hitting the waves with her love of competition surfing!