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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Lasers, microbiology and dental materials in clinical dental practice
Professor Laurence Walsh AO is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Queensland, holding an adjunct title at Griffith University and a part-time position as the Chief Dental Officer at Dentroid, which is based in Canberra. In addition to these roles, he serves on several committees of the Dental Association and is the current president of the Australian Society for Laser Dentistry.
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Cellular mechanisms of traumatic brain injury & concussion
Professor Melinda Fitzgerald is Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research at Curtin University, John Curtin Distinguished Professor and CEO of Connectivity Traumatic Brain Injury Australia.
She has published over 135 papers; recent highlights include Lancet Neurology, J Neuroscience, Nature Nano, ACS Nano, Biomaterials. Currently held grants/Projects total $10.1 million; CIA for $5.2 million of these; $18.5 million total research and equipment funding, $9.9 million as CIA; continuous category 1 grant funding as CIA since 2009.
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Mental wellbeing in rural and regional communities dealing with environmental challenges
Associate Professor Suzie Cosh is a psychologist and clinical researcher. Her work focuses on the intersection of climate change and mental health and she currently leads a body of work that focuses on supporting small rural communities to recover from and prepare for extreme weather events such as bushfires, floods and droughts.
