Katherine Kedzierska


Katherine Kedzierska FAHMS is a Polish born internationally recognised Australian immunologist, Professor of Immunology and Deputy Head of Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Melbourne. Kedzierska is a Laboratory Head at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity and also holds the positions of Honorary Professor at Hong Kong University and Adjunct Professor at Hokkaido University.
𝕏 KatherineKedz

Early life and education

Kedzierska completed her undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in 1994 and Bachelor of Science in 1995 at Monash University. She received her PhD from Monash University in 2002, studying the mechanisms underlying defective phagocytosis by human monocytes and macrophages following HIV-infection under the supervision of Professor Suzanne Crowe at the Burnet Institute. This research earned her a 2001 Premier's Commendation for Medical Research and the 2002 Monash University Mollie Holman Doctoral Medal. Kedzierska undertook postdoctoral training with Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty at the University of Melbourne defining features that underpin long-lasting protective immunity to influenza viruses.

Career, research and accomplishments

In 2007 Kedzierska established her Laboratory in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne. She was appointed Associate Professor in 2012 and full Professor in 2015. Since 2020 Kedzierska has also been Deputy Head of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Melbourne. Kedzierska is recognised for her significant contributions to the field of immunity to pandemic, seasonal and newly emerged respiratory viruses, including influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2. Her work has described immune networks underpinning the severity of viral disease and recovery from viral infections in the young, the elderly and high risk populations such as pregnant women and Australian First Nations people. She was at the forefront of SARS-CoV-2 research, leading a research group that was the first in the world to publish on immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in one of Australia's first COVID-19 patients. Her research was recognised by the 2023 Eureka Prize for Infectious Disease Research, with Kedzierska being listed as a Highly Cited Researcher annually since 2023.

Scientific Outreach

Kedzierska serves on the Editorial Boards of PLoS Biology, Vaccine, Immunology & Cell Biology and Clinical & Translational Immunology.

Awards, honours and recognition