Personal profile

Biography

E/Professor Jennifer Rolland has a longstanding passion for research and education in basic and clinical immunology, with a special research focus on allergic diseases. She completed her BSc in Microbiology and Biochemistry at the University of Melbourne and her PhD in Immunology at Monash University. Together with Professor Robyn O’Hehir AO, she heads the Allergy Research Laboratories in the Department of Immunology and Pathology/Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, where the research scientists and students are well supported by strong clinical links ensuring clinically relevant and targeted research. Current projects focus on characterising the immune response to allergens, in particular the T cell response, with a view to developing safe and effective strategies for down-regulating allergic inflammation as well as reliable and non-invasive assays for monitoring allergic disease activity and response to treatment. The development of novel treatments for inflammatory lung disease is another major focus of the research group.

Research outcomes are supported by a strong patent portfolio. Major competitive research funding has included the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund, Cooperative Research Centre for Asthma and Allergy, NHMRC, Australian Food Allergy Foundation, CASS Foundation and Alfred Research Trusts. E/Professor Rolland is an author on over 160 book chapters and journal articles.  She played a pivotal role in the development and delivery of the Department’s strong undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Immunology at Monash University and for several years she managed the diagnostic immunology service in the Department before this was incorporated into the adjoining Alfred Hospital pathology service for which she acted as a consultant.  She is a member of the Immunology Fellowship Examinations panel for the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists, and is an active member of the Australian Society for Clinical Immunology and Allergy, and the Australian Society of Immunology. She was a member of the Local Organising Committee for the 16th International Congress of Immunology held in Melbourne in August 2016.

Research interests

Characterisation of the T cell and IgE response to peanut, seafood and grass pollen allergens with a view to refining immunotherapy and diagnostic assays for allergic diseases.

Research Projects

  • Phase I/IIa clinical trials of a novel T cell epitope-based peptide therapy for peanut allergy
  • Identification of T cell epitopes of peanut allergens and investigation of cross-reactivity with tree nuts
  • Identification and characterisation of the major allergens in Australian crustacean and mollusc species
  • Evaluation of immunomodulation and efficacy of oral tablets for grass pollen allergy treatment
  • Investigation of sensitization to food allergens by skin products

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

Research area keywords

  • Allergy
  • IgE
  • T cell response
  • peanut allergy
  • seafood allergy
  • pollen allergy
  • immunotherapy
  • Diagnostics
  • peptide therapy

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or