معرفی
Associate Professor Bernadette Saunders is a cellular immunologist specializing in infectious diseases at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), School of Life Sciences. She holds dual roles as an Associate Professor and Director of Postgraduate Coursework Programs within the Faculty of Science. Her research focuses on host immunity, inflammation control, and developing diagnostics/therapies for mycobacterial diseases (including TB and M. avium), Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), and Alzheimer’s vaccines. She leads projects on biomarker discovery, macrophage function, microRNA regulation, organoid models, and nanocage vaccine technology.
Education and Training: Saunders trained at the University of Melbourne, completed postdoctoral studies at Colorado State University and the Centenary Institute, and joined UTS in 2015.
Research Interests: Her work spans
- Novel biomarkers for TB diagnosis and treatment monitoring
- Macrophage mechanisms in infection control
- Mycobacterial therapy development
- MicroRNA roles in immunity and inflammation
- Organoid models for LAM and TB
- Nanocage-based vaccines
Grants and Collaborations: Her funded projects include NIH-supported vaccine adjuvant research, NHMRC grants on miRNA therapies, and Dementia Australia-funded Alzheimer’s vaccine development. Collaborations involve UTS teams and international partners in virology and microbiology.
Labs and Teams: Saunders’ group develops organoid models and tests novel therapies, particularly for LAM and mycobacterial infections. She actively collaborates on nanotechnology-based vaccine platforms.
