Dr Alison West, NHMRC Peter Doherty Early Career Research Fellowship

Dr Alison West is a member of the Viral Immunity and Immunopathology Research group in the Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases.

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Alison West from the Viral Immunity and Immunopathology Research Group at Hudson Institute of Medical Research

Areas of interest

COVID-19 Influenza Pneumonia

Research group

Viral Immunity and Immunopathology

Biography

Dr Alison West is a postdoctoral researcher who has a long-standing career in innate immunity and inflammation. Her main expertise lies in exploring the mechanism of action of immune-modulating therapeutics prior to clinical use. Dr West’s work has led to the use of several immunotherapies in clinical trials for hard-to-treat diseases. Her primary interest is in the development of new therapies to treat respiratory diseases, such as the flu, particularly in older people who are highly vulnerable to severe complications from these infections.

Dr West began her career at the University of Tasmania before undertaking her PhD in the lab of Professor Ricky Johnstone at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Her PhD uncovered that some chemotherapies require the immune system to work, and that combining chemotherapy with immunotherapy can boost their efficacy. She has been at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research for 10 years and has been supported by an NHMRC Early Career Research Fellowship during this time. Dr West has strong links with Industry, Academia and the Hudson Community.

View Video | Dr Alison West and Associate Professor Michelle Tate discusses Influenza

Publication highlights