7 May 2007
Professor Jamie Rossjohn, whose research in biomedical sciences has included insights into how killer T-cells recognise viruses, has received the prestigious 2007 Gottschalk Medal.
The Monash University researcher and Australian Research Council Federation Fellow accepted the Australian Academy of Science's medal today at an award presentation in Canberra. The Gottschalk medal is presented to a scientist less than 40 years of age for their outstanding contribution to medical sciences.
The Gottschalk medal recognises the contributions to science by the late Dr Arthur Gottschalk, a German scientist and leading authority in glycoprotein research who spent more than 20 years in Australia.
A member of the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Professor Rossjohn is investigating three broad, yet interrelated areas of biomedical science, namely immunity, infection and rational drug design. His research program aims to provide answers into how pathogenic bacteria cause disease, central questions relating to immunity, and the development of therapeutics to combat diseases.
His main approach is to study the three-dimensional shape of proteins using a technique called X-ray crystallography, a field that is dependent on synchrotron radiation.
Recently published in the highly prestigious journal Nature Immunology (2007), Professor Rossjohn and his collaborators provided important insight into how killer T-cells recognised viruses.
Professor Rossjohn's research team and collaborators have provided seminal insight into important biomedical problems, publishing more than 100 research papers in this area. Professor Rossjohn was also a recipient of the 2004 Science Minister's Prize for Life Scientist of the Year.
The award has been bestowed on some of Australia's most prominent young scientists and Professor Rossjohn paid tribute to the support of his research team.
"Members of the team work extremely hard to pursue important research areas and to remain internationally competitive. Moreover, the current and continued support from Monash is crucial in our research maintaining its competitive edge", Professor Rossjohn said.
For more information on the Gottschalk Medal, visit the website.
Professor Rossjohn is available for interview. Contact Steve Pogonowski, Media Communications, on +61 3 9905 1253.
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