Andrea Henden
Dr | Research Officer
Translational Cancer Immunotherapy
andrea.henden@qimrberghofer.edu.au
CAREER HISTORY
Dr Andrea Henden is an early career clinician scientist. She is currently a research officer in the Translational Cancer Immunotherapy Laboratory, developing CAR T cell therapies for blood cancers. Her PhD was completed in the Bone Marrow Transplantation Laboratory at QIMR Berghofer where she studied factors controlling Graft-versus-Host Disease and Graft-versus-Leukaemia affects. Dr Henden also holds a position as a staff specialist in Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. Her current research spans both clinical research and translational and basic science research, with the goal of ultimately improving outcomes for patients with malignant haematological disorders.
CURRENT APPOINTMENT
- Research Officer, Translational Cancer Immunotherapy Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
- Staff Specialist, Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS
- PhD Student, Bone Marrow Transplantation laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
ORCID NUMBER
CURRENT AREA OF RESEARCH
Dr Henden’s current area of research extends her PhD studies in T cell biology and immunopathology and the role of cytokines in bone marrow transplantation to the novel field of chimeric antigen receptor T, or CAR T cells, under the supervision of Dr Siok Tey. CAR T cellular therapy is both a ground-breaking scientific discovery as well as a revolutionary clinical therapy for patients with haematological malignancies, offering cure to patients with relapsed and refractory disease. Dr Henden is currently examining ways to improve clinical outcomes from CAR T therapy and to identify biomarkers associated with response and toxicity. Her research will also explore novel CAR T cell design.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
- First author publication from PhD work demonstrating the efficacy of Interferon to improve survival for patients whose cancer has relapsed after bone marrow transplantation. https://ashpublications.org/bloodadvances/article/3/20/3013/387160/Pegylated-interferon-2-invokes-graft-versus
- Member of Queensland Myeloid Genomics Project; A Clinical Implementation Project funded by Genomics Queensland which has introduced next generation diagnostic genomic sequencing to improve risk stratification for patients eligible for bone marrow transplantation in Queensland.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy (2019 onwards)
- American Society for Transplantation and cellular therapy (2019 onwards)
- American Society of Haematology (2016 onwards)
- Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand (2015 onwards)
- Australasian Society for Immunology (2016 onwards)
- Australian Society for Medical Research (2013 onwards)
- Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand (2008 onwards)
AWARDS RECOGNITION
- Cell Therapy Training Scholarship, International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCT) and American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT), October 2019, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
- New Investigator Scholarship, Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand, 2017.
- Baikie Medal for best oral abstract by a new investigator; HAA Annual Scientific Meeting October 2017, Sydney, Australia.
- ‘Best of’ Abstract finalist; Metro North Hospital and Health Service Research Retreat, November 2016, Brisbane Australia.
- Session Chair; International Congress of Immunology 2016; Melbourne, Australia,
- New Investigator Award; TSANZ Annual Meeting May 2016, Sydney, Australia,
- Leukaemia Foundation Best Poster; New Directions in Leukaemia Research, March 2016, Noosa, Australia
- Best Poster; Immunotherapy @ Brisbane; November 2015, Brisbane, Australia
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
2019: Doctor of Philosophy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland
“The Anti-leukaemia effect of Interferons
2013: Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians
2013: Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia
2003: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (Hons), Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland
1999: Bachelor of Science in the field of Biomedical Science, University of Queensland