Pioneering scientist given posthumous University honour
A trailblazing female scientist has been honoured by the University of Bradford a year after her death.
Professor Diana Anderson MBE’s work focused on using a single test for each type of cancer detection, such as mutation, and she was respected across the world.
She retired aged 83 from her role as Professor of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Bradford in April 2024 and died six months later.
She has been given a posthumous Outstanding Contribution Award by the University ‘In recognition of her distinguished career as a world-renowned pioneer in the field of cancer diagnostics.’
Dr Mojgan Najafzadeh, Assistant Professor – Faculty of Health and Social Care at the University of Bradford, a former colleague, received the award on behalf of Professor Anderson’s family, at a ceremony held on Wednesday 3 December.
Professor Diana Anderson pictured at Windsor Castle after she was awarded her MBE in the 2022 New Year Honours List, for services to Genetic and Reproductive Toxicology. Images credit: University of Bradford
Who was Professor Anderson?
She was a pioneer in the early stages of her career as the first female scientist at the chemical company ICI. She joined in 1974 as Head of Mutagenesis Studies at ICI’s Central Toxicology Laboratory, working with the newly-appointed male architect and engineer to help design a laboratory to safely handle hazardous chemicals.
Her ground-breaking research into Genome stability in the umbilical cord blood led to a major discovery showing how damaged DNA from the father smoking can pass to the child and subsequent advice that men should not smoke for three months before conception to give time for the damaged DNA to be removed or repaired.
She also worked at the British Industrial Biological Research Association (BIBRA) during her career.
Inspirational teacher
Professor Anderson moved to the University of Bradford in 2000, initially as Chair in Biomedical Sciences. Her students at Bradford included Labour MP for Streatham and Brixton Hill, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, who described Professor Anderson as an inspirational teacher.
Over the course of her career, Professor Anderson wrote 13 books and nearly 600 papers and supervised more than 30 PhD students at the University of Bradford.
She brought in almost £3 million of research funding and contributed significantly to the University’s research portfolio and cancer research.
Proudest moment
Professor Anderson was awarded an MBE for services to Genetic and Reproductive Toxicology in the 2022 New Year Honours List.
Speaking on her retirement in 2024, Professor Anderson said: “Receiving my MBE was my proudest moment. People recognise you because of what you do yourself. I was thrilled when I got that.”
In 2023, she was commended at the Northern Power Awards in the People with Purpose category.