Record attendance at CID Day of Immunology

A record number of people attended the Centre for Inflammatory Diseases' (CID) Day of Immunology last week at Monash Health Translation Precinct (MHTP), an event that raises awareness of the immune system.

Approximately 60 people including immunology students from Monash University, Wellington High School students, community organisations, patients and their families, and members of the public attended three events in the Translational Research Facility (TRF).

“The public lecture, ‘meet our scientists’ sessions and tours of the research laboratories at MHTP highlighted why the immune system is important and what happens when it doesn’t work—namely, autoimmune, inflammatory and infectious disease,” said event organiser and Centre for Inflammatory Diseases’ Strategic Development Officer Dr Andrea Johannessen.

“During the public lecture Professor Michael Hickey gave an overview of how the immune system works while clinician-scientists Professor Richard Kitching and Professor Eric Morand talked about how their research programs will improve the health and well-being of patients with lupus, arthritis and autoimmune kidney disease.”  

Dr Connie Wong and Professor Amanda Thrift presented on the immune system and stroke.

“We were also delighted to exhibit the images and artwork of the immune system in action, ‘Snapshots of the immune system’,” said Dr Johannessen.

Lupus Victoria, the Lions Club, Arthritis Victoria and the Ulysses Club were among the community organisations represented on the day, all generous supporters of the research undertaken in the Centre for Inflammatory Diseases. 

Feedback from participants on the day was overwhelmingly positive, with some commenting that the laboratory discovery tour was a rare opportunity to witness research first hand.

Ms Johannessen would like to acknowledge all members of the organising committee who made the day such a success.