Gabrielle Belz

Gabrielle T. Belz is an Australian molecular immunologist and viral immunologist. She is a faculty member of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, within the Molecular Immunology division.[1] Belz has made important contributions to the understanding of immune system function, especially in relation to the molecular and cellular signalling pathways of immune response to viruses. Her research has focused on understanding the signals that drive the initial development of protective immunity against pathogen infections, such as influenza and herpes viruses.[2] This includes research into how cytotoxic T cells (a type of T lymphocyte that destroys virally infected cells and tumor cells) recognise and remove virally-infected cells from the body following infection. Research into the description of the specific factors and response during infection will contribute towards the long term development of vaccines for infectious disease, and the development of better treatments for autoimmune diseases.

Gabrielle Belz
NationalityAustralian
Alma materUniversity of Queensland
AwardsBurnet Prize
Gottschalk Medal
NHMRC Elizabeth Blackburn Fellowship
Scientific career
FieldsMedicine
Immunology
Veterinary Science
InstitutionsWalter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
Doctoral advisorProfessor Trevor Heath

Education

Belz trained as a veterinarian and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Queensland graduating with a Bachelor of Veterinary Biology in 1990, then a Bachelor of Veterinary Science with First Class Honours in 1993. She completed a PhD in 1997 at the University of Queensland. Following her PhD, she took up a Postdoctoral Fellowship in viral immunology with Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty at St Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, USA. She returned to Australia to take up a position with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in 2000.

Belz was Editor-of-Chief of Immunology and Cell Biology until 2016, and is now deputy editor.

Awards

In 2007 Belz was awarded the Burnet Prize (recognising the Australian virologist Sir Macfarlane Burnet) for her research into how dendritic cells and cytotoxic T cells work together to defend the body from viral infections.[3] In 2008, Belz was awarded the Gottschalk Medal by the Australian Academy of Science for her contribution to a series of pioneering discoveries illuminating how the immune system deals with viruses.[4] In 2012, Belz was awarded the NHMRC Elizabeth Blackburn Fellowships award (recognising the Australian-American biological researcher and Nobel Laureate, Professor Elizabeth Blackburn). In 2018 she was elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.[5]

Selected publications

References
  1. Laboratory heads - Professor Gabrielle Belz
  2. Elizabeth Blackburn Fellowship - Biomedical 2012
  3. "Burnet Prize". Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  4. "Gottschalk Medal - Dr Gabrielle Belz". Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  5. "Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences" (PDF). Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. October 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
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