Dr Michael Roche (left) and Professor Paul Gorry

Dr Michael Roche has been awarded the prestigious Frank Fenner NHMRC Early Career Fellowship.

The Frank Fenner Early Career Fellowship is awarded to the highest ranked applicant from the Biomedical or Public Health Early Career Fellowship category whose research focus is in an area of international Public Health application, and best reflects the qualities exemplified in Professor Fenner’s career.

Having recently completed his PhD through Monash University whilst being supervised by Burnet’s Professor Paul Gorry, Dr Roche will now work with Professor Gorry and Professor Sharon Lewin on HIV-1 macrophage reservoirs.

Deputy Head of the Centre for Biomedical Research, Professor Gorry said it was an outstanding achievement and prestigious honour for the young HIV research scientist.

“It reflects Michael’s remarkable achievements during his PhD and also the importance and quality of his proposed research,” he said.

Dr Roche’s Frank Fenner NHMRC Early Career Fellowship follows his outstanding individual honour achieved in 2013 when he was awarded the prestigious Monash University Mollie Holman Medal. The Mollie Holman Doctoral Medals are among the highest academic honours bestowed by Monash University.