Fran Balkwill
Encyclopedia
Fran Balkwill OBE is a scientist and English
author of children's books about scientific topics.
She was born in south-west London and was educated at Surbiton High School
. She obtained a BSc in Cellular Pathology at the University of Bristol
and a PhD on leukaemia cell biology in the Medical Oncology Department at St Bartholomew's Hospital
under the late Gordon Hamilton-Fairley
.
She worked for several years at the ICRF Lincoln's Inn Fields (now Cancer Research UK
London Research Institute) on the effect of interferon on cancer. In 2000 she moved to Queen Mary Hospital, University of London
, where she is Professor of Cancer Biology and Director of the Centre for Translational Oncology in the Cancer Research UK Clinical Cancer Centre.
In addition to her laboratory research, Fran has written many children's books about science and is Director of The Centre of the Cell, a project to build a science centre for children in the new Barts and The London Medical School building in Whitechapel, east London. She was awarded the Michael Faraday Prize
in 2005 "for her outstanding work in communicating the concepts, facts and fascination of science in a way that appeals to children of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities, while at the same time maintaining a distinguished research career".
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
author of children's books about scientific topics.
She was born in south-west London and was educated at Surbiton High School
Surbiton High School
Surbiton High School is a private school in Surbiton in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Greater London, England. It was founded in 1884 by a group of Anglican clergymen who instituted the Church Schools Company...
. She obtained a BSc in Cellular Pathology at the University of Bristol
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
and a PhD on leukaemia cell biology in the Medical Oncology Department at St Bartholomew's Hospital
St Bartholomew's Hospital
St Bartholomew's Hospital, also known as Barts, is a hospital in Smithfield in the City of London, England.-Early history:It was founded in 1123 by Raherus or Rahere , a favourite courtier of King Henry I...
under the late Gordon Hamilton-Fairley
Gordon Hamilton-Fairley
Gordon Hamilton Fairley DM, FRCP was a professor of medical oncology. Born and raised in Australia, he moved to the United Kingdom where he studied and worked. He was killed by an IRA bomb intended to kill Sir Hugh Fraser....
.
She worked for several years at the ICRF Lincoln's Inn Fields (now Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is a cancer research and awareness charity in the United Kingdom, formed on 4 February 2002 by the merger of The Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund. Its aim is to reduce the number of deaths from cancer. As the world's largest independent cancer...
London Research Institute) on the effect of interferon on cancer. In 2000 she moved to Queen Mary Hospital, University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
, where she is Professor of Cancer Biology and Director of the Centre for Translational Oncology in the Cancer Research UK Clinical Cancer Centre.
In addition to her laboratory research, Fran has written many children's books about science and is Director of The Centre of the Cell, a project to build a science centre for children in the new Barts and The London Medical School building in Whitechapel, east London. She was awarded the Michael Faraday Prize
Michael Faraday Prize
The Michael Faraday Prize is awarded by the Royal Society of London for "excellence in communicating science to UK audiences". Named after Michael Faraday, the medal itself is made of silver gilt, and is accompanied by a purse of £2500...
in 2005 "for her outstanding work in communicating the concepts, facts and fascination of science in a way that appeals to children of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities, while at the same time maintaining a distinguished research career".