Honor Fell
Encyclopedia
Dame
Dr Honor Bridget Fell, DBE, Ph.D, D.Sc, FRS (1900–1986) was a British scientist and zoologist. Her contributions to science included the development of the organ culture method, similar to stem cell research.
before earning a BSc in Zoology at the University of Edinburgh
in 1922 and a PhD in 1924. Most of her long career was spent at the Strangeways Research Laboratory, Cambridge, where she was Director from 1927 to 1970. While working at Cambridge she earned her Ph.D in 1924. In 1932 she earned her D.Sc from the University of Cambridge
.
Her second contribution to science was the direction, with Dr F.G. Spears, of the Strangeways Research Laboratory at Cambridge University. She was named Director at Strangeways Laboratory in 1927.
In the 1930s the Laboratory pioneered the development of radiobiology - the effects of X-rays on living animal tissue. This was a direct result of Dr. Fell's offer of study facilities to scientists who were refugees of the Second World War. Despite limited resources the laboratory expanded, particularly with the construction in 1938 of a new wing funded by the Rockefeller Foundation
. By 1970 the Laboratory was comprised 62 scientists and 29 technicians.
In retirement Dr Fell once again took up the immunobiology of rheumatoid disease. She returned to Strangeways in 1976 and remained there, still working in the laboratory, until within four weeks of her death in 1986.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
Dr Honor Bridget Fell, DBE, Ph.D, D.Sc, FRS (1900–1986) was a British scientist and zoologist. Her contributions to science included the development of the organ culture method, similar to stem cell research.
Career
She was educated at Winchcliffe School and Madras CollegeMadras College
Madras College is a secondary school in St. Andrews, Fife in Scotland.-History:Madras College, founded in 1832, takes its name from the system of education devised by the school's founder, the Rev Dr Andrew Bell....
before earning a BSc in Zoology at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
in 1922 and a PhD in 1924. Most of her long career was spent at the Strangeways Research Laboratory, Cambridge, where she was Director from 1927 to 1970. While working at Cambridge she earned her Ph.D in 1924. In 1932 she earned her D.Sc from the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
.
Organ Culture Method
This enabled scientists to grow living differentiated cells, largely obtained from the embryos of warm blooded animals, to create cultures that mimic the behaviour of organs in the animal body (see stem cell research).Her second contribution to science was the direction, with Dr F.G. Spears, of the Strangeways Research Laboratory at Cambridge University. She was named Director at Strangeways Laboratory in 1927.
In the 1930s the Laboratory pioneered the development of radiobiology - the effects of X-rays on living animal tissue. This was a direct result of Dr. Fell's offer of study facilities to scientists who were refugees of the Second World War. Despite limited resources the laboratory expanded, particularly with the construction in 1938 of a new wing funded by the Rockefeller Foundation
Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a prominent philanthropic organization and private foundation based at 420 Fifth Avenue, New York City. The preeminent institution established by the six-generation Rockefeller family, it was founded by John D. Rockefeller , along with his son John D. Rockefeller, Jr...
. By 1970 the Laboratory was comprised 62 scientists and 29 technicians.
In retirement Dr Fell once again took up the immunobiology of rheumatoid disease. She returned to Strangeways in 1976 and remained there, still working in the laboratory, until within four weeks of her death in 1986.
Affiliations/Awards
- 1943: Appointed Foulerton Research Fellow, Royal Society
- 1953: Elected Fellow, Royal Society of London
- 1955: Elected Fellow, Girton College, Cambridge University
- 1957: Elected Foreign Honorary Member, American Academy of Arts and SciencesAmerican Academy of Arts and SciencesThe American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. The Academy’s elected members are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs.James Bowdoin, John Adams, and...
, BostonBostonBoston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had... - 1959: Awarded Honorary LL.D, Edinburgh
- 1963: Awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- 1963: Appointed Royal Society Research Professor
- 1964: Awarded Honorary D.Sc, University of OxfordUniversity of OxfordThe University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
- 1964: Awarded Honorary Sc.D, Harvard UniversityHarvard UniversityHarvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
- 1975: Awarded Honorary MD, University of Leiden
- 1977: Appointed, Walker-Ames Professor, University of Washington, Seattle
Source
- Vaughan, Janet. Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society 1987, vol. 33, pp. 237–59