Outstanding Contribution to the BSI Award

The Outstanding Contribution to the BSI Award recognises the contribution and impact of an individual who has been outstanding in their support for the BSI in the last two years.

This individual will have dedicated their time and expertise to one or more BSI-led or supported initiatives, furthering the mission of the BSI and resulting in demonstrable, significant impact for the Society and for immunology. The winner will have taken a collaborative and inclusive approach to provide an exceptional and notable contribution to the BSI.

Professor Leonie Taams, King’s College London, was awarded the Outstanding Contribution to the BSI Award 2025. Even prior to her appointment of Editor-in-Chief of Clinical & Experimental Immunology in 2016, Leonie has long been a supporter of the BSI. Under Leonie’s leadership, the journal went from strength to strength, with her initiatives such as dedicating sections and introducing more section editors as well as editorial board members, highlighting her passion for the research publication process and how to improve the author's experience. She worked on over 4500 submissions to the journal and introduced Review Series, a key part of the journal that continues to be successful and helps authors identify the scope and quality of CEI.

In 2023, this award went to Professor Gary Entrican at the University of Edinburgh. Professor Entrican was a BSI Trustee from 2004 to 2007 and held the post of BSI Congress Secretary from 2017 to 2021. He played a key role in organising two in-person BSI Congress events, and oversaw the process of moving to an online event in 2020. He has also been a mentor on the BSI Mentoring Programme and was an active member of the BSI Comparative Veterinary Immunology Group. Read our interview with Professor Entrican here, where he told us what it means to him to win this award.

Eligibility 

• Must be a current BSI member
• Must not be a current BSI Trustee, Secretary or Editor-in-Chief of a BSI journal
• Open to individuals working in all fields and sectors, including academia, the health service, industry, public bodies and charities
• Open to individuals only, based in the UK

Nomination and judging process

To read more about the BSI Immunology Awards and this year's winners, click here.

BSI staff will draw up a shortlist of suggestions after consultation with BSI committee members. This shortlist will be reviewed by the BSI Nominations Committee who will assess a number of factors including:

• Demonstrates a long-term commitment to furthering the mission of the BSI
• How the nominee has worked with the BSI on one or more projects over the last 24 months to bring about significant positive impact for the Society and for immunology
• Is seen as a role model and ambassador for the BSI
• Demonstrates a commitment to creating a positive and inclusive culture within projects led by BSI and the wider immunology sector

If you have any queries, please email awards@immunology.org.