Rate My Professor Sinead Henderson

Dr. Sinead Henderson serves as Lecturer in Biomedical Science in the School of Science and Technology at the University of New England. She obtained her Bachelor of Biomedical Science degree in 2012 from UNE, followed by a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in Physiology from the same institution. She completed her PhD at UNE in 2019. During her doctoral studies, Henderson worked as a Casual Lecturer in the School of Science and Technology, prior to her appointment as a full-time Lecturer in Biomedical Science. Her academic journey at UNE spans over a decade, reflecting a deep commitment to biomedical education and research within the institution.

Henderson's research specializations center on the immunological responses of sheep to gastrointestinal parasitism and vaccination strategies. Her work targets endemic Australian parasites Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Haemonchus contortus, which cause significant production losses for farmers amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars annually. She investigates the characterization of sheep immune responses to these parasites to support the development of protective anti-parasite vaccinations, including novel vaccine adjuvants. Additionally, she conducts research on Q fever immune responses and innovative vaccine approaches. In her teaching portfolio, Henderson has lectured and coordinated units such as BCHM210/410: Introductory Molecular Biology and Biochemistry I, BIOL110: Biology I, BTEC360/460/560: Biotechnology and Advanced Molecular Biology, PSIO335: Human Nutrition and Metabolism, PSIO331/531: Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology, and PSIO411: Human and Mammalian Physiology. Key publications include 'Trichostrongylus colubriformis induces IgE-independent CD13, CD164 and CD203c mediated activation of basophils in an in-vitro intestinal epithelial cell co-culture model' (Veterinary Parasitology, 207(3-4):285-96, 2014), presentations such as 'Initiation of an anti-gastrointestinal parasite immune response in sheep by agents that mimic the activity of live gastrointestinal nematodes' (International Congress for Parasitology XIII, 2014), and 'Q fever – immune responses and novel vaccine strategies' (Future Microbiology, 2023). She has engaged in public outreach through discussions on immunology and nutrition.