NEXT-GENERATION NK CELL-BASED IMMUNOTHERAPIES FOR HARD-TO-TREAT CANCERS
Associate Professor Fernando S. F. Guimaraes, PhD, GAICD
Group Leader, Translational Innate Immunotherapy
Frazer Institute, Faculty of Medicine,
The University of Queensland, Australia
RESEARCHER PROFILE
Filmed in Brisbane, Australia | February 2025
Associate Professor Fernando Guimaraes is an internationally recognised leader in cancer immunotherapy and natural killer (NK) cell biology. Based at The University of Queensland, he leads innovative research focused on developing next-generation NK cell-based immunotherapies for hard-to-treat cancers, including sarcomas and neuroblastoma.
A/Prof Guimaraes completed his PhD at the Institut Pasteur and pursued postdoctoral research at QIMR Berghofer and WEHI before joining UQ in 2019. His pioneering work has significantly advanced understanding of immune evasion mechanisms in cancer, leading to potential breakthroughs in NK cell therapies. His research integrates systems biology, experimental oncology, and bioinformatics to design novel, targeted treatments resistant to tumour-induced immunosuppression. His contributions have earned him numerous awards, including the QLD Tall Poppy, UQ Frazer Institute Rising Star, Translational Research Institute – Connecting with the Clinic Awards.
He has published extensively in top-tier journals, secured and led major research funding (NHMRC, MRFF, US DoD) focused on NK cell therapies. A/Prof Guimaraes also plays a key role in mentoring early-career researchers, serving as the Chair of the Research Committee at Cure Cancer Australia and leading multiple international collaborations.
Source: supplied
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2037-8946
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Optimising Rural Musculoskeletal Health
Adnan Asger Ali is a Director of Accelerate Physiotherapy and PhD candidate at The University of Sydney, where he is researching implementation strategies for musculoskeletal care pathways in rural Australia as part of the PACE-RURAL project.
A passionate advocate for physiotherapy, Adnan serves as Chair of the Australian Physiotherapy Association’s National Musculoskeletal Committee and sits on the Capital Health Network’s Clinical Council. His commitment to clinical excellence was recognised when he received Physiotherapist of the Year at the 2023 Allied Health Awards.
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Anne O’Neill
STATE GOVERNMENT SUPPORTING MEDICAL RESEARCH
@ NSW HEALTH, NEW SOUTH WALES AUSTRALIA -
DNA repair on the Fanconi anaemia pathway
Associate Professor Wayne Crismani is an internationally recognised expert in DNA repair, with a particular focus on Fanconi anaemia (FA)—a cancer-predisposition and bone marrow failure syndrome marked by extreme sensitivity to DNA damage. Based at St Vincent’s Institute in Melbourne, he leads a research program dedicated to understanding the genetic, cellular, and reproductive consequences of FA. He is currently supported by a Victorian Cancer Agency Mid-Career Fellowship and funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council.
