Conjoint Prof. Margaret Dunkley

Biography

I have worked within the University of Newcastle environment for 30 years. Initially I was employed on NHMRC research grants and was the Chief investigator on some of these. The focus of my research has been investigation of immune responses to infectious diseases at mucosal surfaces (lung, intestine, and reproductive tract), and development of effective mucosal vaccines. I am also a member of the VIVA group within the Hunter Medical Research Institute. For the past 15 years I have been employed by small biotech companies that have had their R&D units embedded within the University of Newcastle. In my industry role I have successfully obtained government AUS-Industry R&D grants.

Currently, as a Conjoint Associate Professor in School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, I lecture to Biomedical Sciences students, supervise post-graduate students, and collaborate on research projects within the Discipline of Immunology and Microbiology. I also Chair the University of Newcastle Biosafety Committee and I am a Vice Chancellor nominated employer representative member of the University OH&S committee. I am employed by Newcastle Innovation to work as the Chief Scientific Officer for Hunter Immunology Ltd (an unlisted public company) and I am responsible for the operation of the Hunter Immunology Ltd R&D Unit which is located within the School of Biomedical Science and Pharmacy in the David Maddison Clinical Sciences Building. In this role I also interact with manufacturing and pre-clinical and clinical research contractors. The focus of Hunter Immunology Ltd is vaccine development.

Qualifications

• PhD (Pathology), University of Newcastle, 1991
• Master of Business Administration, La Trobe University, 2004
• Graduate Diploma of Managment (Tech Management), Deakin University, 2001
• Graduate Certificate of Management (Tech Mgt), Deakin University, 2000
• Master of Science, University of Melbourne, 1975
• Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry)(Honours), University of Melbourne, 1971

Research

Research keywords

• Clinical trials
• Immunology
• Infectious diseases
• Vaccine

Research expertise

Research into immune mechanisms for protection against infectious disease and development of vaccines using both animal models and human clinical trials

Collaboration

Vaccine Development, Infectious Disease, Immunology

Fields of Research

Centres and Groups

Centre

• Hunter Medical Research Institute

Group

• Hunter Medical Research Institute - VIVA

Administrative

Administrative expertise

Chair Insititutional Biosafety Committee for University of Newcastle, have completed MBA (Technology management), manage research and development programs for industry

Teaching

Teaching keywords

• Clinical trials
• Immunology
• Infectious diseases
• Product development
• Quality assurance

Teaching expertise

Teach in areas of immunology, infectious disease, development of products (such as vaccines, diagnostic kits) and regulatory requirements, clinical trials and quanity control and quality assurance

Teaching interests

Have lectured to nurses, pharmacy students, biomedical science and biotechnology students in areas of immunology, infectious disease, therapeutic product development/project management, clinical trials and quality assurance. Have given presentations on biosafety in relation to Australian standards, OH&S legislation/regulations and Gene Technology legislation/regulations.

Teaching interests

• Lecturing (Immunology) to nursing students in the Faculty of Applied Science 1989-90.
• Tutoring to Biomedical Science students
• Lecture to Biotechnology and Biomedical Science students in subject HUBS 3204, (2000-current). Topics: Product Development, Quality Assurance, Clinical Trials

Programs

• Bachelor of Biomedical Science
• Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Hons)