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Monday April 07, 2025

Congratulations to ALEXANDRA CAREY HOPPÉ
2024 ASI CAREER ADVANCEMENT - POSTGRADUATE AWARDEE

 

We warmly congratulate
Alexandra Carey Hoppé
winner of the 2024 ASI Career Advancement – Postgraduate Award.

 

I am currently in my final year of my PhD candidature within the Immunovirology and Pathogenesis Program at the Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, under the supervision of Dr Mee Ling Munier, A/Prof Vanessa Venturi and Prof Anthony Kelleher. In my past life I was a professional contemporary dancer however I have now thrown away the leotards and false eyelashes and jumped into PPE like it was always a part of my wardrobe. I live in Sydney on the Northern Beaches and start each day with an ocean swim and I’m trying very hard to complete my PhD with two young teenagers, a husband and a miniature schnauzer in tow.

Our research group is dedicated to understanding the immunological responses triggered by vaccinations, in particular what happens in the draining axillary lymph nodes where the initial immune response occurs. My specific PhD project examines the effects of administering the second dose of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine into the alternate arm to the primary dose, focusing on neutralising antibodies, B cells, T cells, and their communication within the axillary lymph nodes.

The ASI Career Advancement Award (postgraduate category) allowed for my travel to Galway, Ireland in July 2024 to attend the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) workshop held there. This particular workshop was incredibly niche, enticing like-minded researchers from all over the globe to discuss “Lymphatic Tissues and Germinal Centres in Immune Reactions”. It was exciting to be surrounded by researchers at all stages of their careers that were also obsessed with germinal centres and the immune responses within. Maybe this is not so uncommon for others, however during my recently commenced career in research, it was a first-time experience that I absolutely loved!

I especially enjoyed meeting Ali Ellebedy and Luka Mesin. I am the only person in my lab group working on B cells so I can unequivocally state that all prior knowledge used to understand my results was gained by pouring through Mesin/Victora and Ellebedy papers. Garnett Kelsoe also took the time to discuss similarities in our research and I felt so fortunate to engage with such esteemed researchers leading in their fields who were also genuinely welcoming and supportive of a newbie like myself.

Fangirling selfies with Dr Luka Mesin (top left), Dr Ali Ellebedy (right), and Prof Garnett Kelsoe (bottom left) at the Lymphatic Tissues and Germinal Centres in Immune Reactions, EMBO workshop, Galway, 2024.

It was also incredibly uplifting to witness the remarkable women who are carving out significant spaces in the scientific community and leading their own research teams with notable success. Carola Vinuesa, Michelle Linterman, Carolyn King, Michela Locci, Menna Clatworthy, Natalia Pikor, and many others… your presence and leadership are truly inspiring!

Thank you, ASI, for giving me this wonderful opportunity.

Author: Alexandra Carey Hoppé

Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ASI