Farewell to Neeru Varese, allergy researcher

Farewell to Ms Neeru Varese who has contributed to allergy research

in the Department of Immunology and Pathology for over 25 years. 

by Professors Jennifer Rolland and Robyn O'Hehir

This month we farewell Ms Neeru Varese who has worked in the Department of Immunology and Pathology for more than 25 years! 

Neeru first joined the Department for her BSc Honours year in 1996, conducting her research project under the supervision of Professor Jennifer Rolland on the T cell response to grass pollen allergens.  We were then very pleased that Neeru decided to join the Allergy research team under the leadership of Professors Robyn O’Hehir and Jennifer Rolland and more recently, Associate Professor Menno van Zelm.  

She completed her Master of Science in 2004, focussing on Bermuda grass or Couch grass, mapping the T cell epitopes of the major allergen Cyn d 1.  This work provided the groundwork for the development of more effective and safer immunotherapy for allergy.  

Over the years, Neeru has contributed to studies on several other allergens of grass pollens, latex, shellfish and other foods, investigating unexpected cross-reactivities and providing assays for monitoring changes with immunotherapy.  Neeru has been a key researcher in the nationally and internationally regarded Allergy Laboratory that has delivered on more than 30 NHMRC program/project/investigator grants, a 14-year CRC for Asthma, Medical Research Commercialisation Fund grants, Alfred Trust Grants and grants from The Ilhan Food Allergy Foundation over the last 25 years.  

This research has generated numerous patents and media interest. Importantly, Neeru contributed to the research IP that is now moving to a Phase 2 Clinical Trial of a peanut allergy therapeutic (with a granted IND [Investigational New Drug]) by the spinout company Aravax Pty Ltd. The Allergy Lab has published more than 250 peer-reviewed publications. 

Neeru has provided an invaluable service to the group, not only in her meticulous laboratory work but also for her management role, ensuring high standards of laboratory safety and quality control. She provided the essential link with clinical colleagues for collecting blood samples and clinical details, ensuring appropriate cohorts for each project and ensuring timely and up to date ethics applications.  

A large number of undergraduate and graduate students can thank Neeru for her patient guidance and caring mentorship as they commenced and progressed through their research studies in the lab. We wish Neeru well in the future and thank her for her generous contributions to the Department and Central Clinical School.