2020 Michelson Prizes Awarded to Young Scientists in Pursuit of Vaccine Breakthroughs

2020 Michelson Prizes winners Dr. Danika Hill (Monash University) and Dr. Michael Birnbaum (MIT)  explore improving vaccine responses and developing an effective HIV vaccine with their vaccine and immunology research projects.

Danika Hill, PhD (left) and Michael Birnbaum, PhD (right)

Creating a pathway for young research scientists to obtain funding vital to their research, the Michelson Medical Research Foundation and the Human Immunome Project have supported vital innovation into treatments for COVID-19 and other diseases through the Michelson Prizes for Human Immunology and Vaccine Research. 

Danika Hill, PhD, a research fellow in immunology and pathology at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, and Michael Birnbaum, PhD, an assistant professor at MIT, are the two 2020 Michelson Prize recipients.

Dr. Hill’s research seeks to uncover helper cells that improve vaccine responses, thereby improving vaccines and immunotherapies for numerous disorders, from cancer to COVID-19.

Dr. Birnbaum seeks understanding into how the human immune systems of certain individuals with HIV can combat the disease without antiviral medications. This insight can help in the development of an effective HIV vaccine.

The Michelson Prizes are awarded annually to young investigators who apply disruptive concepts and inventive processes to advance human immunology, vaccine discovery, and immunotherapy research across major global diseases. Each awardee receives $150,000 to advance their research.

“Profound breakthroughs are made by researchers under age 35,” says Dr. Gary K. Michelson, founder and co-chair of the Michelson Medical Research Foundation. “We must invest in next-generation scientists who have demonstrated excellence in their field by combining disruptive thinking with a novel scientific approach.”

Find out more about Dr. Hill, Dr. Birnbaum, and past Michelson Prizes winners.