Prof. Tania de Koning-Ward is a Professor of molecular microbiology in the School of Medicine and the Deakin Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation at Deakin University. She is currently the leader of the Infection, Immunity, and Cancer Theme at IMPACT, and she also heads a vibrant research team of postdocs, research assistants, PhDs, and honours students focused on understanding the molecular basis of malaria. She has been awarded the Commonwealth Health Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Health and Medical Research (2011), the Smart Geelong Network Biotechnology Award (2012), the Smart Geelong Network Researcher of the Year Award (Highly Commended) (2012), the Deakin University Health Faculty Award for Innovation in Teaching (2012), an NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship (2018–2022) as well as the Australian Society for Parasitology ‘Bancroft Mackerras’ Medal for Excellence. Her research is focussed on investigations into the mechanisms by which pathogens, particularly Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria, can survive and evade the host immune response to cause disease. Her research uses sophisticated molecular genetics, biochemical and cell biology techniques, as well as animal models as core tools.