CIIDIR, alongside the Australian and New Zealand Society for Immunology (ASI), celebrated Day of Immunology 2026 with an engaging seminar bringing together researchers, students, and members of the wider community under this year’s theme: ‘Signals, Cells and Sneezes: Decoding Immune Responses.’
The seminar highlighted the breadth of immunology research taking place across the Centre and showcased how immune responses continue to shape our understanding of infectious disease, respiratory health, allergy, and veterinary science. The speakers explored how the immune system influences health outcomes across different stages of life and disease settings, while also highlighting the importance of continued research, collaboration, and innovation.
Rachel Morgan opened the seminar with her presentation, ‘From Bump to Breath: The Effect of Maternal Diet on Childhood Lung Health.’ Her research explored how maternal nutrition during pregnancy may influence childhood respiratory outcomes, including asthma risk.
The presentation highlighted growing evidence that improving maternal diet quality may help reduce the risk of childhood respiratory conditions. Rachel also discussed the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids and emerging evidence suggesting that immune cell development may help mediate the effects of maternal diet on asthma outcomes. The findings presented were hypothesis-generating and highlighted the need for further research and replication across additional studies.
Dr. Poshamaal Dhar followed with her presentation, ‘Decoding Early Life Immunity: Nasal and Cord Blood Signatures in Childhood Diseases.’ Her presentation focused on the developmental period spanning pregnancy, birth, and early infancy, a stage where biological systems are highly sensitive to environmental exposures and capable of shaping long-term health outcomes.
The presentation explored the growing prevalence of IgE-mediated food allergies, particularly in Australia, which continues to report some of the highest rates globally. Dr. Poshmaal discussed how dysregulated inflammatory responses are implicated in food allergy development, while also highlighting links between maternal gut bacteria during pregnancy and an infant’s future allergy risk.
The seminar also explored early life airway development and nasal immunity, demonstrating how mucosal immune responses may influence susceptibility to respiratory diseases such as wheeze and asthma in children.
Dr. Samantha Davis then presented ‘Balancing Welfare & Science: The Effect of Analgesia on African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) Disease Progression and Immune Response.’ Her presentation examined the challenges of balancing animal welfare with scientific accuracy in infectious disease research. Dr. Sam discussed considerations for selecting analgesic regimens that minimise discomfort without compromising virology, immunology, or accurate clinical assessment.
The seminar concluded with a presentation from Dr. Shahana Ahmed titled ‘Transcriptomic Signatures of Resilience and Susceptibility in Lumpy Skin Disease Virus Infection.’ Dr. Shahana explored the biology and impact of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV), a poxvirus affecting cattle and water buffalo with significant socioeconomic consequences.
The presentation highlighted how distinct gene expression patterns exist between resilient and susceptible cattle, and how this knowledge may contribute towards improved vaccines, early diagnostic markers, and selective breeding strategies for disease resistance.
The Day of Immunology continues to provide an important platform for sharing research, strengthening collaboration, and celebrating the impact of immunology across both human and animal health. CIIDIR extends its sincere thanks to all presenters, attendees, organisers, and partners who contributed to the success of this year’s event. It was wonderful to see researchers, students, and members of the community come together to celebrate immunology research and the important role it continues to play in improving global health outcomes.
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