The Academy of Medical Sciences and The Royal Society have announced their lists of new Fellows for 2025. We extend our warm congratulations to the three BSI members who have been elected Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences, along with many eminent scientists.
Congratulations to our member AMS Fellows:
Professor Deborah Dunn-Walters
Professor of Immunology, Associate Dean Research and Innovation, University of Surrey
BSI Trustee Deborah Dunn-Walters’ research focuses on B cell development in health and disease, using a systems immunology approach to investigate how humoral immunity changes with age. Her team also works on better ways to analyse immune responses, including how the body reacts to viruses like COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.
Professor Clare Bryant
Professor of Innate Immunity, Cambridge University
A member of the BSI since 2016, Clare Bryant investigates how innate immune cells respond to bacterial infections, focusing on the signalling pathways activated by pathogen-associated molecular pattern receptors. By collaborating with experts in mathematics, physics, physical chemistry, and structural biology, her work addresses fundamental questions about host–pathogen interactions and how these processes might be therapeutically targeted.
Professor Simon Draper
Professor of Vaccinology and Translational Medicine, University of Oxford
A member of the BSI since 2020, Simon Draper studies vaccine-induced immunity, in particular antibody immunology and human malaria infection. His work focuses on strategies to enhance vaccine development, including the identification of improved vaccine antigens and the design of more effective delivery methods.
Royal Society Fellows:
Professor Yasmine Belkaid ForMemRS
President, Institut Pasteur
Yasmine Belkaid has made groundbreaking discoveries in microbiota, immunity, and host-pathogen interactions. Her research investigates the fundamental mechanisms that regulate tissue homeostasis and the immune response. She has uncovered important roles for the microbiota and dietary factors in shaping immunity and protecting against pathogens. Her work also examines how the immune system contributes to organismal remodelling and explores the effects of infections on the mother-child relationship. We look forward to hearing her keynote presentation at BSI Congress 2025.
Dr Leo James FRS
Group Leader, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
Leo James is a molecular biologist who applies an interdisciplinary, hypothesis-driven approach to investigate how the body defends itself against pathogens. He identified intracellular antibody immunity, a key protective mechanism in which antibodies function within the cytoplasm to trigger cell-intrinsic immune responses. His research has demonstrated how this form of immunity defends against viruses, bacteria, and prions, revealing a mechanism that bridges innate and adaptive immune systems.
You can find out more about the 2025 intake of Royal Society Fellows on the Royal Society website.
Academy of Medical Sciences Fellows:
Professor Christoper Chiu
Professor of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London
Christopher Chiu’s research explores the pathogenesis and protective immunity in human respiratory viral infections, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza and SARS-CoV-2, employing patient-centred research to understand systemic and mucosal immunity against these infections.
Professor Anthony Day
Professor of Biochemistry, University of Manchester
Anthony Day’s work aims to understand the molecular processes that occur during inflammatory diseases. This includes investigating the role of the innate immune system in a major form of blindness (AMD) and how a protective mechanism, triggered by acute inflammation, may serve to prevent cartilage and bone breakdown.
Professor Sejal Saglani
Professor of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Imperial College London
Sejal Saglani leads the Paediatric Severe Asthma Group within the Section of Inflammation, Repair and Development at Imperial College London. Her research investigates the mechanisms underpinning early asthma and predicting how it may develop.