Rate Professor Laurence Macia

Professional Summary: Professor Laurence Macia

Professor Laurence Macia is a distinguished academic and researcher at the University of Sydney, Australia, with a focus on immunology, nutrition, and gut health. Her work explores the intricate relationships between diet, the gut microbiome, and immune system responses, contributing significantly to the fields of nutritional immunology and chronic disease prevention.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Macia holds a PhD in Immunology from the University of Paris, France, where she developed her foundational expertise in immune system mechanisms. Her academic training has been complemented by extensive postdoctoral research in leading institutions, focusing on the intersection of nutrition and immunity.

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Her research primarily investigates how dietary components and the gut microbiome influence immune responses and contribute to conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory diseases. Key areas of interest include:

• Nutritional immunology
• Gut microbiome and metabolic health
• Chronic inflammation and immune regulation

Career History and Appointments

Professor Macia has held several prestigious positions during her career, reflecting her expertise and leadership in her field:

• Associate Professor, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney (current)
• Head of the Nutritional Immuno-Metabolism Laboratory, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney
• Postdoctoral Researcher, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Australia

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Her contributions to science have been recognized through various accolades, including:

• NHMRC Career Development Fellowship, National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia
• Multiple research grants for projects on diet and immune health

Key Publications

Professor Macia has authored numerous impactful papers in high-ranking scientific journals. Some of her notable publications include:

• “Dietary Fiber Confers Protection Against Flu by Shaping Ly6c- Patrolling Monocyte Hematopoiesis and CD8+ T Cell Metabolism” – Immunity, 2018
• “Triglyceride Synthesis by DGAT1 Protects Adipocytes from Lipotoxicity during NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation” – Cell Reports, 2020
• “Microbiota-Derived Short-Chain Fatty Acids Promote the Memory Potential of Antigen-Activated CD8+ T Cells” – Immunity, 2019

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Macia’s research has advanced the understanding of how diet and gut microbiota modulate immune responses, providing critical insights into preventing and managing chronic diseases. Her work at the Charles Perkins Centre has fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, bridging nutrition, immunology, and microbiology. Her findings on dietary fiber and immune protection have been widely cited and have influenced public health discussions on diet and disease prevention.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Macia is actively involved in the academic community through various roles:

• Regular speaker at international conferences on immunology and nutrition
• Member of research committees at the University of Sydney focusing on health and metabolism
• Reviewer for leading journals in immunology and nutritional science