Andrew McMichael facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Andrew McMichael
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| Born | 8 November 1943  |
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| Fields | Immunology, medicine, molecular medicine |
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| Thesis | The clonal expression of antibody-forming cells. |
| Doctoral advisor | Brigitte Askonas |
| Academic advisor | Hugh McDevitt |
| Doctoral students | Malegapuru Makgoba, Suranjith Seneviratne |
Sir Andrew James McMichael is a famous scientist who studies the body's immune system. He is an immunologist, which means he learns how our bodies fight off sickness. He was a professor at the University of Oxford and led the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine. Sir Andrew is especially known for his important work on how our immune cells, called T cells, fight against viruses like the influenza (flu) and HIV.
Early Life and Education
Andrew McMichael was born in London, England, on November 8, 1943. He went to St Paul's School before studying medicine at the University of Cambridge. He attended Gonville and Caius College from 1962 to 1968. After that, he continued his studies at the National Institute for Medical Research. There, he earned his PhD, focusing on how cells that make antibodies work.
Career and Research
After finishing his PhD, Sir Andrew went to Stanford University in the United States for more research. In 1977, he came back to the UK. He began studying how T cells respond to HIV infection. His research team even developed two HIV vaccines. These vaccines were tested in early human trials to see if they were safe.
From 2000 to 2012, Sir Andrew was the director of the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine. This is a big research center at the University of Oxford. He also started the MRC Human Immunology Unit in 1998 and was its honorary director until 2010.
Sir Andrew has guided many students during their studies. More than 55 students earned their PhDs under his supervision. Many of these students have become important immunologists themselves. He also mentored many postdoctoral researchers, helping them become leaders in science.
Awards and Honours
Sir Andrew McMichael has received many important awards for his scientific work:
- He became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1992. This is a very high honour for scientists in the UK.
- In 1998, he received the Novartis Prize for Basic Immunology.
- He was also made a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 1998.
- In 2008, he was given a Knighthood. This means he became "Sir Andrew" for his great contributions to medical science.
Personal Life
In 1968, Andrew McMichael married Kathryn 'Kate' Elizabeth Cross. They have two sons and one daughter. Sir Andrew enjoys outdoor activities like walking and skiing. He has a house in La Salle les Alpes, France, where he likes to spend time.
