2015 Dell Awardee - Roslyn Kemp

Roslyn Kemp is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Otago. She began her career with a BSc in Microbiology from Otago, followed by a PhD in Pathology and Molecular Medicine from the University of Otago Wellington and the Malaghan Institute. After receiving her PhD, she undertook research fellowships in the USA and the UK before returning to New Zealand to work as a Research Fellow in the Cancer Genetics Laboratory in the Department of Biochemistry at Otago.

As Senior Lecturer, Roslyn supervises a number of students at PhD, Masters and Honours levels. Her research focuses on the body's immune response to cancer and how immunology can be used for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancer as well as potential cancer vaccines.

Roslyn is also involved in the Australasian Society for Immunology and furthered the goals of the Women's Initiative of the Society, including providing mentorship opportunities for female immunologists at any stage of their career.

“Roslyn has an outstanding ability to inspire female students at graduate and postgraduate level,” says Dr Joanna Kirman, who nominated her for the Award. “As an undergraduate teacher she is exceptional, and this has contributed to a dramatic increase in the number of female students in Immunology in recent years. She has an inclusive and unselfish approach to mentoring, with a special emphasis on supporting young female Maori students into postgraduate study. Roslyn is a consistently strong and enthusiastic mentor for women in science, and I believe she has made a significant, tangible difference to many careers.”