Tony Kenna

Professor Tony Kenna is an immunologist at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), leading research in autoimmune diseases like ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and scleroderma. He holds a PhD in Pharmacology from University College Dublin and is based in the School of Biomedical Sciences within QUT's Faculty of Health. His work integrates genomics, microbiome studies, and cellular immunology to identify therapeutic targets for immune-mediated diseases. He collaborates with the Centre for Immunology and Infection Control and Centre for Microbiome Research at QUT.

Teaching focuses on undergraduate immunology, emphasizing problem-based learning. His editorial roles include journals like Clinical and Translational Immunology and Discovery Immunology. Professional memberships include the Australia and New Zealand Society for Immunology and the Australian Society for Medical Research.

Research interests span genetic drivers of AS/scleroderma, microbiome-immune interactions, and translational therapies. Recent work highlights T-cell dysregulation in autoimmune conditions and biomarkers for disease progression. His lab explores therapeutic strategies like CAR-T cells and TCR-engineered regulatory T-cells for autoimmune diseases.

Publications emphasize genomics-driven discoveries (e.g., HLA-B27 interactions, Runx3 deficiency in SKG mice), microbiome roles in AS pathogenesis, and long-term post-COVID-19 immunopathology. Collaborations bridge clinical and basic science to advance understanding of immune system dysregulation.