Australasian Cell Death Society

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!