Dr Misty Jenkins is a NHMRC fellow and laboratory head at the Walter Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, in Melbourne. Misty researches in the area of immunology and cell biology, and understanding how immune cells kill cancer cells.  She has been a Fellow of The University of Cambridge, was the 2012 National Association of Research Fellows Investigator of the year, was awarded the L’Oreal for Women in Science Fellowship in 2013, and was awarded the Tall Poppy of the year award for science (Victoria) in 2015. 

In addition to her research career, Misty is a passionate and engaging public speaker about the sciences and is involved with various programs aimed at increasing young people’s enthusiasm for science and education, particularly Indigenous students. She is the ambassador for the Melbourne Poche Centre for indigenous education and consults for the Aurora Project (which set up the Charlie Perkins scholarships for Indigenous students to attend Oxford and Cambridge Universities). Misty also serves on a number of consultative committees, which aim to enhance Indigenous engagement in science. Misty is a descendent of the Gunditjmara people in Western Victoria.