Kathy Belov is a geneticist whose interests focus on the genomics of marsupials and monotremes and the evolution of adaptive immune systems. She participated in the Platypus Genome Project 2004 and has continued to lead research into the antibacterial properties of platypus venom. Since 2007 her work on the Tasmanian Devil facial tumour disease has shown that the lack of an immune response to the cancer is due to genetic similarities of the devils and the cancer, and that peptides in devil milk also has significant antibacterial properties. Belov heads the Australasian Wildlife Genomics Group which researches the molecular genetics and evolution of gene families in Australian native animals.
"Kathy Belov is acknowledged for her ground-breaking work using genetics and genomics to trace the evolution of mammalian immunity to overturn the paradigm that marsupials and monotremes have primitive immune systems. She has shown that lineage specific evolutionary innovations provide marsupials and monotremes with additional defence mechanisms and that these offer exciting drug leads for humans and other animals. After determining the role that the Major Histocompatibility Complex plays in the spread of Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease, Belov led the genetic management of the recovery program to successfully increase immune fitness of wild populations through genetic rescue. She continues to work with government agencies to boost the immunogenetic resilience of native species threatened by disease." [from https://www.science.org.au/profile/kathy-belov 28/6/2022]
2002
2002
Education - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Macquarie University
2002
2004
Career position - ARC Postgraduate Fellow, Australian
2005
2013
Career position - Associate Professor of Animal genetics, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney
2008
2008
Award - Lecturer, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney
2009
2009
Award - People's Choice Award, Eureka Prizes, Australian Museum
People's Choice Award, Eureka Prizes, Australian Museum
2009
2013
Award - Future Fellowship, Australian Research Council
2011
2011
Award - Eureka Prize for Research and Innovation, Environmental Research, Australian Museum
2011
2013
Career position - Member, College of Experts, Australian Research Council
2014
Career position - Professor of Comparative Genomics, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney
2014
2014
Award - Ross Crozier Medal, Genetics Society of Australasia
2014
2014
Award - Fenner Medal, Australian Academy of Science
2015
2017
Career position - President, Genetics Society of Australasia
2016
Career position - Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement), University of Sydney
2018
Award - Fellow, Royal Society of New South Wales
2019
2019
Award - Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) - for distinguished service to higher education, particularly to comparative genomics, as an academic and researcher
2022
Award - Fellow, Australian Academy of Science (FAA)