Walter and Eliza Hall Institute Alumni

11/07/2025

During NAIDOC Week, we celebrated the powerful work of emerging leaders like Dr O’Brien and reflect on how we can help shape a future led by the next generation.

07/07/2025

Venture scientist Dr Nicholas Liau is teaming up with Professor Marnie Blewitt to turn her breakthrough science into a world-first therapy.

04/07/2025

Celebrating 50 Years of Parasitology at WEHI

What an incredible day of science, stories, and reconnection at the 50th Anniversary Symposium of Parasitology and Infection Biology at WEHI. The event brought together past and present members of our vibrant research community to honour five decades of discovery, collaboration, and impact.

From registration in the early morning, the atmosphere was filled with joy and nostalgia. It was heartwarming to witness old friendships rekindled, mentors reunited with former students, and colleagues picking up conversations as if no time had passed.

The program took us on a journey through the past, present, and future of infection and parasitology research at WEHI.

We heard inspiring reflections on the early history of the unit from WEHI alums, Graham Mitchell and Graham Brown, the legacy of figures like Dave Kemp from Lynn Corcoran, and tributes to the many scientific milestones achieved by our alumni and current researchers alike.

Chaired by some of our most dedicated scientists, the sessions highlighted the strong foundations built over the decades and celebrated the emerging leaders who are shaping the next generation of infectious diseases research.

The afternoon wrapped up with engaging talks from Brendan Crabb and several of WEHI’s outstanding Lab Heads, before closing remarks from Chris Tonkin and Ivo Mueller brought the formalities to a close.

But the conversations didn’t end there, the cocktail function offered the perfect setting for laughter, storytelling, and raising a glass to the many memories shared and achievements celebrated.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to mark this special milestone. It was a truly memorable day, reminding us all of the power of scientific collaboration and the lasting connections formed at WEHI.

Here’s to the next 50 years!

27/06/2025

🎉 Today we’re celebrating 50 years of discovery at the WEHI Parasitology and Infectious Diseases 50th Anniversary Symposium.

At this event, we’re acknowledging the groundbreaking research that has taken place in the division over the past five decades and showcasing the exciting work now underway in the newly formed Infection and Global Health division.

To mark the moment, here are some photos from the archives.
Can you spot any familiar faces? Share your memories in the comments.
We’d love to hear your stories and see if you can help us name a few of the legends in these photos! 📸 🧫🦠🌍

23/06/2025

🧬 From a cell to a whole body: now we can trace the journey🧍

Incredibly, life starts from a single cell, that divides again and again to form all the parts of our bodies.

What if we could track back where the cells in our brain, gut or blood, first originated? What could that tell us about how we grow? About the origins of disease and disorders?

Our researchers have developed LoxCode, a marvellous new technology that makes this happen.

This innovative new tech gives each cell in a genetically engineered mouse a unique DNA barcode – like an ancestry test for every cell. It lets scientists track how cells divide, migrate and specialise into organs and tissues.

How cells decide what to become – and how they are related – has long been a scientific mystery. It’s one we’re excited to help solve.

📰 Learn more about this excellent research led by Professor Shalin Naik and Dr Tom Weber and their team on our website: https://www.wehi.edu.au/news/barcodes-uncover-early-blueprints-of-our-cellular-origins/

19/06/2025

Ni Hao from Nanjing, China 👋👋

From 5–8 June, a WEHI delegation led by Director, Professor Ken Smith visited Nanjing, China, to connect with alumni, universities, research institutes and biotech companies.

Invited and hosted by Nanjing University (NJU), the visit aimed to strengthen our long-standing collaboration and explore new opportunities for scientific and educational partnerships. NJU is ranked among China’s top five universities and is a member of the prestigious C9 League. NJU has been a valued partner of WEHI since 2016 through our InSPIRE program and China Scholarship Council (CSC)-supported NJU-WEHI student program pathways.

Over the past nine years, NJU has sent more than 50 students to WEHI for InSPIRE, honours, masters, PhD and postdoctoral training. Today, over 20 NJU alumni are working or studying at WEHI. As noted by WEHI alum and WEHI member Professor Quan Zhao of NJU:

“These programs not only lit up the students’ scientific interest, but also greatly helped shape their scientific careers.”

Professor Ken Smith and Professor Alan Cowman were honoured to be appointed Adjunct Professors at NJU and co-chaired sessions and delivered scientific talks at a microbiology conference hosted by the university. The visit also included meetings with NJU, National Higher Education Institutions Regional Technology Transfer and Transformation Center, CAITM (China-Australia Institute of Translational Medicine) and a tour of New Materials Science and Technology Park within the Jiangbei New District.

💫 A special shout-out to Professor Quan Zhao for being the most generous and incredible host – your hospitality, warmth and unwavering commitment to advancing science and education are greatly appreciated.

A huge thank you to all at NJU for continuing to build such a meaningful and impactful partnership with WEHI.

11/06/2025

WEHI Alumni – Did you work in the Parasitology unit at WEHI?

You are invited to a special symposium to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Parasitology unit at WEHI. The symposium will be held on Friday 27 June 2025 at WEHI.

At this event we will acknowledge the groundbreaking research in the division over the past 50 years and highlight current programs within the newly formed Infection and Global Health division.

To register or for more information, please email IGHDIVCOS@wehi.edu.au

11/06/2025

🌾 No more gluten challenge? Thanks to WEHI and Novoviah Pharmaceuticals, a new blood test could diagnose coeliac disease without needing to eat gluten first!

Led by A/Prof Jason Tye-Din and PhD researcher Olivia Moscatelli, this breakthrough could transform how one of Australia’s most common autoimmune diseases is detected.

Imagine having to eat something that makes you sick – just to see what’s making you ill in the first place.

30/05/2025

Lead the next wave of biomedical discovery
Join WEHI as a Laboratory Head

WEHI is seeking innovative and driven researchers from around the world to lead the next generation of scientific discovery. If you are passionate about advancing knowledge and making a tangible impact on health and disease, we invite you to join our world-class research institute.

We are seeking emerging leaders in biomedical research who are:

Discovery-driven: Committed to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and scientific advancement.
Recognised experts: Demonstrating excellence and leadership in their field.
Impact-focused: Passionate about translating research into benefits for national and global communities.
Collaborative and inclusive: Dedicated to fostering a diverse and supportive research culture.

Lead the next wave of biomedical discovery

30/05/2025

🧪 Flashback Friday!
From the archives, one of a series of photographs taken at the WEHI 2 building in Parkville, likely around the 1940s.

Pictured is Professor Redford Wright-Smith inspecting the collection in the Pathology Museum.

23/05/2025

🧬 Flashback Friday!
A group photo of the Structural Biology Division snapped on the balcony at WEHI.

Can anyone help us out? What year was this taken? Can you spot yourself or a familiar face in the crowd?

We’d love to hear your memories or help put names to faces, leave your comments below.