We are saddened to learn of the passing of Dame Bridget Ogilvie, an internationally recognised immunologist and parasitologist, Honorary Lifetime Member of the BSI and influential champion of biomedical research.
Dame Bridget's scientific career was shaped by a question she first encountered growing up on her family's sheep farm in rural Australia: why do parasitic infections provoke such a powerful immune response without leading to lasting immunity? Seeking to answer this question, she went on to conduct pioneering research into the immune response to nematodes, helping to advance understanding of host parasite interactions and making an enduring contribution to immunology.
Following a sabbatical with the Wellcome Trust, Dame Bridget embarked on a new chapter in her career, becoming Director of the Trust from 1991 to 1998. During her tenure, she oversaw a major expansion of its funding programmes and the establishment of the Sanger Institute, helping to shape biomedical research in the UK and internationally.
Dame Bridget also gave generously to the wider scientific community, serving on numerous advisory boards and committees, including as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees at Sense About Science and as a trustee of the Science Museum. Her outstanding contributions were recognised through many honours, including the Kilgerran Prize of the Foundation for Science and Technology in 1994, election as a Fellow of the Royal Society and a knighthood in 2003, and appointment as a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2007.
In recognition of her exceptional contributions to immunology and the wider scientific community, Dame Bridget was awarded Honorary Lifetime Membership of the BSI. Her career exemplified scientific curiosity, leadership and a commitment to ensuring research delivers benefits for society, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire immunologists today.
We extend our sincere condolences to Dame Bridget's family, friends and colleagues. She will be remembered with gratitude for her remarkable contributions to science and her lasting influence on generations of researchers.
To learn more about Dame Bridget's remarkable career and lasting impact on biomedical research, read the Wellcome Trust's tribute.