Dr Carolien van de Sandt receives Viruses Early Career Investigator Award

Dr Carolien van de Sandt, an ARC-DECRA Research Fellow in the University of Melbourne’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, has been awarded the 2022 Viruses Early Career Investigator Award for her outstanding achievements in the field of virology.

Dr van de Sandt's research focuses on understanding virus-specific immune response and its role in protection against severe disease.

Throughout her early career, Dr van de Sandt has contributed to landmark studies including the world’s first publication of the SARS-CoV-2-specific immune response in Nature Medicine, and her study on SARS-CoV-2 specific immunity in children published in Immunity.

Katherine Kedzierska, Head of the Human T cell Lab in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Doherty Institute where Dr van de Sandt works, said she is very impressed with how enthusiastic and open-minded Dr van de Sandt is about learning new aspects and technologies in viral immunity.

“She has established herself as a brilliant emerging leader in the field of viral immunology and I consider Carolien a promise for the future as an excellent scientist and a group leader,” Professor Kedzierska said.

Dr van de Sandt is also passionate about communicating her research findings with the public, and said: “I firmly belief that engagement with the public about scientific processes, progress and findings is of great importance,”

"You may have seen me in the Cracking COVID documentary or at one of the Science Nation events in Melbourne.”

Dr van de Sandt is proud to be one of only two recipients of the 2022 Viruses Early Career Investigator Award. “Seeing my work and contributions to the field recognised by such prestigious award is a great encouragement for a young female scientist like myself.” Dr van de Sandt said.

The award was given by the scientific journal Viruses.