Last week, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) - Australia's leading funding body for health and medical research - announced awards for the highest ranked recipients of grants and fellowships for 2010.

Garvan’s Professor Jonathan Sprent received the Achievement Award as the Top Ranked NHMRC Research Fellow.
 
Professor Sprent works on T cell immunobiology with emphasis on T cell formation, lifespan, activation, and the formation of memory cells. He is also interested in immunoregulation and the role of cytokines in controlling T cell homeostasis and survival.

“I feel very encouraged to have received this award,” said Professor Sprent. “I’m 69 this year, and when you get to my age, you ask yourself if perhaps your best days are behind you, and whether stepping down and making way for younger people would be warranted.”

“So, this 5-year Fellowship is a real morale booster and makes me think I can keep going for a bit longer. Also, I’m fortunate to have a great lab full of productive people.”