Raelene Pickering is an experienced molecular and cell biologist. She obtained her PhD in Immunology at Monash University investigating the modulation of the immune response to a plant-made vaccine. During her PhD she gained a broad range of skills in molecular biology, immunology as well as experience with animal studies in mice and baboons. After completion of her PhD she changed fields accepting a post-doc position in Merlin Thomas’ laboratory at BakerIDI to begin research into Diabetic Complications. Here she gained experience with RAAS signalling and diabetic mouse models. For the past 8 years, most of her research has been focused on Angiotensin II signalling through the Angiotensin II type 1 receptor and Receptor for Advanced Glycation End products (RAGE) in atherosclerosis. Her recent work has described a new Angiotensin II signalling mechanism. Here she was able to demonstrate that the RAGE and the angiotensin II type 1 receptors are co-located, that the RAGE tail is transactivated leading to inflammation and that this signalling can be blocked. She is also interested in the role of this signalling pathway and RAGE in other diseases.