Welcome to the Australasian Cell Death Society
Leading the way in Australasian medical research
Welcome to the Australasian Cell Death Society
Leading the way in Australasian medical research
About Us
Everyday, millions of cells within the human body will die through a process known as programmed cell death. Moreover, the dysregulation of cell death or failure to remove dying cells is also implicated in many disease settings including cancer and autoimmunity.
The term ‘apoptosis’ was first coined in 1972 by Australian pathologist John Kerr to describe the first kind of programmed cell death. Since then, Australasian cell death researchers have been at the forefront of global scientific breakthroughs. Whether it’s apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis or beyond, Australasian cell death researchers are changing how the world views cell biology and are shaping the development of novel therapeutics.
The Australasian Cell Death Society (ACDS) aims to bring together renowned and upcoming Australian and New Zealand cell death researchers working locally and abroad. By creating a community that promotes collaboration, communication and scientific integrity, the ACDS aims to support our Australasian cell death researchers to continue to lead the next generation of medical advances.
Our Vision
To establish a cell death community that promotes national and international collaboration, dissemination of research and establishment of both a professional and social network.
What we offer
- Monthly newsletters
- Seminar series with invited speakers and engaging discussion sessions
- Social media communications
- Networking functions
- ECR professional development awards
- A cell death researcher directory & more
Future vision: Mentoring program, Cell Death Symposium
Who are we for?
The ACDS is designed to encompass all Australian and New Zealand cell death researchers working locally and those now working abroad. This includes Honours, Masters and PhD students, Research Assistants, Postdocs, Laboratory Heads and Research-Academics.
Welcome to our new ACDS Committee Members
The ACDS is thrilled to announce the addition of three new enthusiastic cell death researchers joining our 2025 committee!
Secretary: Dr Radek Szmyd (CRMI)
Communications Officer 1 (Website & Newsletter Manager): Jeremy Yap (UQ)
Communications Officer 2 (Social Media Manager & Advertisement): Dr Pooranee Morgan (Baker Institute)
We also welcome Dr Kerstin Brinkmann (WEHI), who will take over as the MCR Committee Advisor.
A massive thank you to outgoing committee members Dr Yoon Lim, Dr Malvina Pizzuto, A/Prof Ivan Poon, and Maddie Wemyss for all their hard work and dedication to the ACDS.
2024 Reflections
ACDS has grown to 396 members in 2024: 43 new members this year
- Members are located across 25 countries and 83 institutes/universities.
- @AusCellDeathSoc (Twitter/X) now followed by 758 people – 135 new followers in 2024.
- ACDS launched on LinkedIn and followed by 210 people.
ACDS hosted fantastic initiatives this year:
- 6 online/in-person seminars including:
- Annual Welcome Back Seminar & Networking Morning Tea held in March at WEHI.
- International Cell Death Seminar – ACDS x ECDO x CDR/CSCDR in June and September.
- Online ACDS seminars held in April and August.
- ACDS x ANZSCDB End of Year Seminar & Lunch held in November at La Trobe University.
- Pitch to Publication Workshop held in May. We were joined by Editors from Science, Cell, Nature Methods and Biochemical Society Transactions.
- Annual ACDS Prizes awarded:
- Professional Development Award recipients Dr Stefanie Bader (WEHI; International Recipient) and Xiaohui Wang (UQ; National Recipient).
- Prize for Outstanding ECR recipient Dr Caroline Holey (UQ, Currently at MPIIB).
- ACDS first Annual General Meeting held in November.
- Ten ACDS Newsletters with featured scientists, member publications and other ACDS news.
We thank you for your continued support of ACDS this year and look forward to bringing you some new and exciting initiatives in 2025!
Key Dates
Our seminar series is held virtually via zoom on the first Wednesday of the month and is open to all members. Interested in speaking at a future ACDS seminar? Please send a CV and 200 word bio to AusCellDeathSociety@gmail.com to apply. Want to take part in our events? Join the ACDS HERE.
Information regarding our 2025 events calendar will be available early next year.
05/03/2025
ACDS Seminar and Networking Morning Tea
9am
-
11am
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville VIC
Event Details
05/03/2025
ACDS Seminar and Networking Morning Tea
Please join us on the 5th March for our Welcome Back Seminar and Networking Morning Tea, held in person at WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Insti...
9am
-
11am
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville VIC
07/05/2025
ACDS x ECDO International Seminar 1
4.30pm
-
6.30pm
TBA
Event Details
07/05/2025
ACDS x ECDO International Seminar 1
More details coming soon!
4.30pm
-
6.30pm
TBA
11/05/2025
The 14th European Workshop On Cell Death
All day
Fiuggi, Italy
Event Details
11/05/2025
The 14th European Workshop On Cell Death
EWCD meetings are held bi-annually and have proved increasingly successful among the international cell death research community. Each one i...
All day
Fiuggi, Italy
12/05/2025
Cold Spring Harbor Asia Cell Death and Innate Immunity 2025
All day
Suzhou, China
Event Details
12/05/2025
Cold Spring Harbor Asia Cell Death and Innate Immunity 2025
The Cold Spring Harbor Asia conference on Cell Death and Innate Immunity will be held in Suzhou, China, located approximately 60 miles west ...
All day
Suzhou, China
03/09/2025
ACDS x ECDO International Seminar 2
4.30pm
-
6.30pm
TBA
Event Details
03/09/2025
ACDS x ECDO International Seminar 2
More details coming soon!
4.30pm
-
6.30pm
TBA
Proudly supported by our sponsors
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