Nurturing early career researchers in immunology

Nurturing early career researchers in immunology

  • Dr Brigitte 'Ita' Askonas, 1923-2013
    Dr Brigitte 'Ita' Askonas, 1923-2013

Dr Brigitte ‘Ita’ Askonas was revered as one of the world’s leading immunologists, and equally renowned for her warm, collaborative support of fellow researchers. So it is a fitting tribute to such an iconic scientist that Cambridge is able to continue Ita’s passion for developing early career researchers through the Ita Askonas Bursaries, funded by her generous legacy to the University.

Postdoctoral researchers are regarded as the engine of Cambridge’s research discovery, and supporting them in the early stages of their careers is a top priority for the University. The bursaries will help Cambridge’s postdoctoral researchers in immunology and infection to pursue research projects and establish collaborative networks in partner institutions as part of their career development.

Understanding the body's immune response

Seen by many in her field as the mother of immunology, Ita was an inquisitive and pioneering scientist whose work has made major contributions to our fundamental understanding of the body’s immune response to infection. Ita came to Cambridge in 1949 to study muscle enzymes for her PhD in biochemistry, after which she was recruited by the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) as a postdoctoral researcher. She would eventually become a founding member of the first Immunology Division and later its head.

Immunology as a field was in its infancy in the 1950s when Ita first joined NIMR. She continuously encouraged and collaborated with many scientists around the world and helped shape the field of immunology during these exciting formative years. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, knew Ita. He says: “Ita was a unique and wonderful person and scientist who inspired all who came into contact with her.”

Inspiring postdoctoral researchers

During her long and successful scientific career Ita was a caring, inspirational figure to numerous postdoctoral researchers: engaging them with her enthusiasm for immunology, nurturing their skills, and helping develop the next stages of their careers. Indeed, one of Ita’s major legacies is the many, now eminent, scientists around the world who were guided and inspired by her particular brand of rigorous attention to detail and love of challenging science.

Now, through the Ita Askonas Bursaries, a new generation of extraordinary scientists will be given the opportunity and support to develop their careers and collaborative networks as up-and-coming research leaders in immunology and infection.

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The Department of Pathology's research seeks to understand — and ultimately arrest and reverse — disease processes.