51³Ô¹ÏÍø

Brigitte (Ita) Askonas, a leading figure in modern immunology, has died at the age of 89.

Brigitte Askonas, known widely as Ita, has died at the age of 89. Askonas was a leading figure in modern immunology, her work leading to the development of many new vaccines.  Here, Professor Peter Openshaw shares his thoughts.

Ita Askonas was deeply committed to encouraging those developing a career in immunology. She came to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø regularly during the 25 years of her retirement, meeting with students at St Mary's and South Kensington and attending many of our seminars and research meetings. Her insights were always stimulating and her support and mentorship to the immunology community at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø were invaluable. Her extraordinarily generosity was recognised by the award of a Fellowship of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, one of our highest honours. She will be sadly missed.

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