Bridget Ogilvie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bridget Ogilvie
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Ogilvie in 1987
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Bridget Margaret Ogilvie
24 March 1938 Glen Innes, New South Wales, Australia
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| Alma mater | University of Cambridge |
| Awards | FRS DBE PhD |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | University of Cambridge National Institute for Medical Research Wellcome Trust Zeneca Group plc Imperial College London |
| Thesis | Nippostrongylus braziliensis: a study of the life cycle and immunological response of the host (1964) |
Dame Bridget Margaret Ogilvie, born on March 24, 1938, is a highly respected scientist from both Australia and Britain. She is known for her important work in understanding how our bodies fight off tiny invaders like worms. She has also played a big role in supporting scientific research and education.
Early Life and Education
Bridget Ogilvie was born in 1938 in a place called Glen Innes, New South Wales, Australia. When she was in primary school, her class was very small, with only three other students and one teacher.
She went to high school at the New England Girls' School in Armidale, New South Wales, finishing in 1955. After that, she studied at the University of New England. She earned a special degree in Rural Science with top honors in 1960. She even received a university medal for her excellent work.
Bridget then received a special scholarship to study at Girton College, Cambridge, in England. There, she earned her PhD, which is a very high university degree. Her research focused on a type of tiny worm called Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. This work helped us understand how living things react to these worms.
A Career in Science
Bridget Ogilvie started her scientific career in 1963 at the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR). She worked in the Parasitology department. Parasitology is the study of parasites, which are tiny organisms that live on or in other living things.
At NIMR, she spent many years studying how our immune responses (our body's defense system) fight against nematodes, which are a type of intestinal worm. Her research helped us learn a lot about how to protect against these worms.
In 1981, she joined the Wellcome Trust, a very important charity that supports health research. She became its Director in 1991 and led the organization until she retired in 1998. A major achievement during her time as Director was helping to create the Sanger Institute. This institute is now known as the Wellcome Genome Campus and is famous for studying DNA and genes.
After leaving the Wellcome Trust, Bridget Ogilvie convinced the government to work with the Wellcome Trust. Together, they created the Joint Infrastructure Fund. This fund helped improve research facilities at universities across the country.
She also served on the main boards of big companies like Lloyds Bank and AstraZeneca. She has received many special degrees from universities around the world. From 2001 to 2009, she held an important position at the University of Cambridge.
Even after retiring, Bridget Ogilvie continued to be very active in science. She helped people understand science better and supported science education. She was the first chairperson of the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) Board, which works to find new medicines for malaria. She also served as a trustee for the Science Museum and chaired a trust that helps science teaching.
Awards and Honours
Bridget Ogilvie has received many important awards and honours for her contributions to science:
- In 1994, she won the Kilgerran Prize from the Foundation for Science and Technology.
- In 1996, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). This is a very high honour in Britain.
- In 2003, she was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This means she is recognized as one of the most outstanding scientists in the UK.
- In 2007, she received the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). This is Australia's highest civilian honour. She received it for her service to biomedical research, especially in studying parasites, and for supporting research to improve global health.
She is also a member of the Advisory Council for the Campaign for Science and Engineering. In 2008, she was elected to the Australian Academy of Science. She is an Honorary Fellow of St Edmund's College, Cambridge and an honorary member of the British Society for Immunology. In 2016, the Wellcome Sanger Institute named a new building after her to honour her work.
