Doreen Cantrell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Doreen Cantrell
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| Alma mater | |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | immunology |
| Institutions | University of Dundee |
| Thesis | Membrane markers on rat cytotoxic cells (1982) |
Doreen Ann Cantrell (born 1957) is a British scientist. She is a Professor of Cellular Immunology at the School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee. Professor Cantrell studies how special white blood cells, called T lymphocytes, work. These cells are very important for understanding how our body's defense system, called the immune system, fights off sickness.
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Becoming a Scientist
Doreen Cantrell started her journey in science by studying animals, known as zoology. She earned her first degree in 1979 from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. Later, she continued her studies and received her PhD in Immunology from the University of Nottingham. Immunology is the study of how our body protects itself from germs and diseases.
Her Work in Immunology
Professor Cantrell has made many important discoveries about the immune system.
Early Discoveries
In 1984, she and Dr. Kendall A. Smith made a big step forward. They were the first to study how individual white blood cells, called lymphocytes, grow and multiply. This helped scientists understand more about how our immune system responds to threats.
Leading Research
From 1987 to 2002, Professor Cantrell led the Lymphocyte Activation Laboratory. This lab was part of Cancer Research UK, a group that studies cancer. In 2002, she received a special research grant from the Wellcome Trust. This allowed her to continue her important work at the University of Dundee.
She also helped guide research in the United Kingdom. From 2010 to 2014, she was in charge of the Medical Research Council's panel for immunology and infections. She was also a member of the main council from 2014 to 2018. Today, she helps guide the scientific journal Immunity as a member of its editorial board.
Understanding T Cells
Professor Cantrell is known worldwide for her knowledge of T lymphocytes, often called T cells. These are a type of white blood cell that controls our immune system. By understanding how T cells work, scientists can better understand how diseases progress and how our bodies resist them. Her research helps us learn how to keep our bodies healthy and fight off illnesses.
Awards and Recognition
Professor Cantrell has received several important awards for her contributions to science.
- In 2005, she became a member of The Royal Society of Edinburgh. This is a respected group of experts in Scotland.
- In 2011, she was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is one of the highest honors for scientists in the United Kingdom, recognizing her important work in immunology.
- In 2014, she was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This award was given to her for her excellent service to life sciences.
