Posted: 25 November 2025
Moderna Australia announced it has awarded the 2025 Moderna Australia Fellowship to Dr Anne Klein of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The annual initiative was designed to support emerging Australian scientists and strengthen national capability in advancing mRNA technologies.
“The dynamic research ecosystem in Australia is pivotal in propelling innovative science forward globally,” said Dr Felicia Pradera, Director of the Regional Research Centre for Respiratory Medicines and Tropical Diseases. “Anne’s project appealed to us as a creative use of AI to advance mRNA technology.”
The Fellowship had been established to nurture researchers working on ideas with the potential to boost Australia’s health and medical research sector. Dr Klein’s work focused on using artificial intelligence and advanced computational modelling to improve how mRNA is packaged inside nanoscale delivery systems. Her project applied machine learning to design mRNA sequences that were more efficiently encapsulated, potentially accelerating the development of future mRNA therapeutics.
Building on her existing AI platform, the project aimed to predict mRNA folding, improve its fit within carrier systems, and test its interactions with other molecules. This approach was expected to streamline formulation cycles and strengthen the predictability of mRNA packaging. The research was being carried out in collaboration with partners including the Children’s Medical Research Institute and the Australian National University.
Dr Klein said she welcomed the opportunity: “I’m honoured to receive the Moderna Fellowship and excited to collaborate on advancing mRNA design. My goal is to make mRNA medicines more predictable, manufacturable and accessible.”
The Moderna Australia Fellowship offered two years of funding, expert mentorship and hands-on experience with Moderna’s global research teams, providing awardees with exposure to industry-focused research and translation pathways.
