Immunology News - September 2024

In this issue of Immunology News, we are celebrating those in the early stages of their career.

Hear from our new Early Career Trustee, Dr Carolyn Nielsen, and a recent winner of our Bright Sparks award, Dr Matthew Sinton. Find out what happened when our London Immunology Group went to King’s Cross railway station armed with vaccine-themed fun and games, and find out more about the incredible potential of mRNA technologies, and how different sectors might work better together to reap maximum benefit from these.

You can find all the latest on our journals, and details of lots of exciting upcoming events, including our Winter School for MSc students in this edition.

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Articles

Sep

30 years at the BSI!

Sarah Green, our Membership and Operations Manager, celebrated a major milestone in August: 30 years working for the BSI! We caught up with her to find out about the changes she has seen and her highlights from three decades with the Society.

Mike Parkhouse with his wife Erika Abney

Sep

Dr Michael Parkhouse 1935 – 2023

The BSI is saddened to learn about the recent death of Dr Michael Parkhouse, who made an outstanding contribution to the field of immunology over a period of more than six decades.

Dr Matthew Sinton receiving his Bright Spark award

Sep

The secret role of fat in the immune response to sleeping sickness

The 2023 BSI Congress saw the return of our hugely popular ‘Bright Sparks in Immunology’ sessions, which recognise exceptional work from PhD students and postdocs. Here, Dr Matthew Sinton tells us more about his work on the role of adipose tissue in the immune response to sleeping sickness infection, which won him the award in the postdoc category.

Engaging with the public at King's Cross station

Sep

All aboard the immune express! Bringing vaccine awareness to London King’s Cross train station

We recently supported members of the BSI London Immunology Group to arm themselves with a raft of fun and innovative materials and take to the concourse of one of London’s most bustling transport hubs.

Illustration of BSI income forecast for 2024-25

Sep

How the BSI is managing its finances to ensure a thriving future for immunology

Here, our Director of Finance, Membership and Publishing, Otto Balsiger, outlines some of the changes in the Society’s activities over the last five years, and the impact of these on the BSI’s finances.

Sep

Representing early career immunologists on the BSI Board: an interview with Dr Carolyn Nielsen

In July, we welcomed two new Trustees to our Board, including Dr Carolyn Nielsen, who is a Senior Immunologist working on malaria vaccine immunology at the University of Oxford’s Department of Biochemistry. Dr Nielsen is one of two Early Career Trustees on the Board, and we caught up with her to find out what she’s looking forward to most.

Sep

Harnessing the power of mRNA Technologies

The BSI recently brought together a group of expert stakeholders from academia, industry, clinical practice, funding bodies and government, to examine how these sectors can work together to promote collaboration and drive forward mRNA technologies in the UK. Here, Ben Wilcock, the BSI’s Programme Manager (Research), describes the outcomes of this meeting, which was held at the Royal Society in London.