Celebrating a scientific breakthrough
Professor Jacques Miller by Jill Steenhuis
Fifty years ago, a leading Australian professor made one of the most extraordinary recent discoveries in medical research: the function of the human thymus, which is the small organ located above the heart and between the lungs.
Professor Jacques Miller made this fundamental discovery, which has been pivotal in understanding the immune system, underpinning the current fields of cancer, autoimmunity, vaccination and transplantation.
Associate Professor Robyn Slattery, Head of the Diabetes Laboratory said Professor Miller’s discovery assisted in defining the T-Cell – the white blood cells that attack viruses.
“Without Professor Miller’s finding we would have no understanding of how any virus, including the killer AIDS virus, wreaks havoc in the body,” Associate Professor Slattery said.
“I look forward to celebrating this milestone with Professor Miller not only to look back at this moment in history but also to look forward at the future of medical research.”
This week, the University will commemorate the anniversary of the milestone by celebrating Professor Miller’s scientific achievements with a special exhibition of artworks by Professor Miller, showcasing a series of nude studies in brush and ink.
Alongside works by Professor Miller will be a selection of beautiful landscapes, still lifes and portraits by acclaimed French artist Jill Steenhuis.
The pièce de résistance of the exhibition will be a portrait of Professor Miller (pictured) by Steenhuis, which will be auctioned off in a special event to raise funds for medical research at Monash University’s Department of Immunology.
Works by Professor Jacques Miller and Jill Steenhuis will be on display on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 August, 10am-4pm at the Alfred Hospital, AMREP seminar room, rear 75 Commercial Road, Melbourne.
The auction will be held on Friday 26 August, 6.30-8.30pm.
RSVP required to ccs-rsvp@monash.edu or 03 9903 0026
For further information visit the Monash website.