Kathleen Davern

Kathleen Davern is a Researcher and Laboratory Manager at the UWA Medical School and concurrently serves as Research Manager at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research. She established the world-class Monoclonal Antibody (MAb) Facility in 2005, which employs five staff and provides antibody-related services globally. Her expertise spans immunology, immunoparasitology, venom research, and vaccine development. She holds a BAppSc and MSc, with prior experience at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) and Scripps Clinic Research Foundation.

Her research includes collaborations on schistosomiasis, leading to the identification of the Sj26 antigen, and current projects targeting cancer, diabetes, immune regulation, snake venoms, and cane toad toxins. She has secured multiple grants, including NHMRC funding for equipment and SARS-CoV-2 antibody research. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals addressing health and innovation.

Notable achievements include over 350 Scopus citations and contributions to high-impact journals like Nature Chemical Biology. She oversees research management at Perkins and maintains active collaborations with institutions in Australia and internationally.