NEXT-GENERATION NK CELL-BASED IMMUNOTHERAPIES FOR HARD-TO-TREAT CANCERS
Associate Professor Fernando S. F. Guimaraes, PhD, GAICD
Group Leader, Translational Innate Immunotherapy
Frazer Institute, Faculty of Medicine,
The University of Queensland, Australia
RESEARCHER PROFILE
Filmed in Brisbane, Australia | February 2025
Associate Professor Fernando Guimaraes is an internationally recognised leader in cancer immunotherapy and natural killer (NK) cell biology. Based at The University of Queensland, he leads innovative research focused on developing next-generation NK cell-based immunotherapies for hard-to-treat cancers, including sarcomas and neuroblastoma.
A/Prof Guimaraes completed his PhD at the Institut Pasteur and pursued postdoctoral research at QIMR Berghofer and WEHI before joining UQ in 2019. His pioneering work has significantly advanced understanding of immune evasion mechanisms in cancer, leading to potential breakthroughs in NK cell therapies. His research integrates systems biology, experimental oncology, and bioinformatics to design novel, targeted treatments resistant to tumour-induced immunosuppression. His contributions have earned him numerous awards, including the QLD Tall Poppy, UQ Frazer Institute Rising Star, Translational Research Institute – Connecting with the Clinic Awards.
He has published extensively in top-tier journals, secured and led major research funding (NHMRC, MRFF, US DoD) focused on NK cell therapies. A/Prof Guimaraes also plays a key role in mentoring early-career researchers, serving as the Chair of the Research Committee at Cure Cancer Australia and leading multiple international collaborations.
Source: supplied
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2037-8946
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Professor Matthew Kiernan
BRAIN AND MIND CENTRE
@ UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES AUSTRALIA -
Big data to improve the use of antidepressant medicines in aged care
Georgina Hughes is a pharmacist & PhD Candidate with the University of South Australia Clinical and Health Sciences and the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA), undertaking research at South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI).
Georgina’s PhD study and first published paper was on how to improve the safe and effective use of antidepressant medicines and optimise quality use of medicines in older people accessing residential aged care.
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CASE STUDY High blood pressure and shorter sleep may worsen brain decline
People with high blood pressure who also lack sleep may be at increased risk of reduced cognitive performance and greater brain injury, Monash University research has found.
Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, researchers assessed whether the combined effect of hypertension and short sleep duration had a negative impact on brain health.
