Laura Mackay

Dr Laura Mackay is a Professor at the University of Melbourne and Immunology Theme Lead at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity. She completed her PhD at the University of Birmingham (2009), followed by postdoctoral training with Dr Francis Carbone at the University of Melbourne (2009–2015). Dr Mackay is a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Leadership Investigator Fellow, Dame Kate Campbell Fellow, HHMI International Scholar, and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. A global leader in immunological memory, Dr Mackay’s research has transformed our understanding of tissue immunity and the role of T cells in protection against infection and cancer. She has published >100 research papers in Q1 journals, including lead-author articles in Nature and Science, and is a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher. Her work has defined how tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM) are generated and maintained, how they confer protection, and how they can be harnessed in next-generation vaccines and therapies for skin disease. She demonstrated that TRM cells play a critical role in cancer control and are associated with improved survival in patients with solid tumours. Her team is now focused on defining the features of protective versus pathological T cell responses, with strong industry partnerships aimed at advancing novel T cell–based therapies. Dr Mackay’s contributions have been recognised with numerous awards, including the NHMRC Elizabeth Blackburn Investigator Award, Prime Minister’s Prize, Leo Foundation Asia-Pacific Award, Jian Zhou Medal (AAHMS), and Gottschalk Medal (AAS).