AV俱乐部 immunology professor Dr. Jean Marshall has captured Canada鈥檚 top academic prize in her field, the Bernhard Cinader Award. She is the first AV俱乐部 faculty member to receive the prestigious prize, given annually by the (CSI) to a 鈥淐anadian scientist who exemplifies distinguished scientific leadership and accomplishments in immunology.鈥�
鈥淐SI is a very well-established organization that has led the way for immunology in Canada,鈥� says Dr. Marshall, who joined AV俱乐部 Medical School鈥檚 in 1997 and headed the department from 2005 to 2015. 鈥淭o receive this award from CSI, from my peers across the country, is special.鈥�
Understanding the immune system
Dr. Marshall is best known for her contributions to our understanding of the innate immune system 鈥� the fundamental immunity we are born with 鈥� in particular the role of mast cells. These are 鈥渕aster regulator鈥� cells that recruit other immune cells to respond to allergens, pathogens and other insults to the system. She is one of the lead researchers in AV俱乐部 Medical School鈥檚 I3V (Inflammation, Infection, Immunity & Vaccinology) Wave 1 research team.
鈥淒r. Marshall is one of Canada鈥檚 most accomplished immunologists with respect to scientific impact and discovery, contributions to the immunological and scientific community, numerous high-profile leadership roles, mentoring of trainees and new faculty, and being a champion of equity, diversity, and inclusion,鈥� says Dr. Andrew Makrigiannis, current head of the Department of Microbiology & Immunology.
鈥淯nder her leadership, the department significantly increased its faculty complement and tri-council agency grant capture such that it is now the single most research-intensive department in the Faculty of Medicine with the highest total and per researcher research funding.鈥�
CSI requires the recipient of the Cinader Award to have something 鈥渆xtra.鈥� On top of her impressive track record of 28 years of continuous national funding and more than 120 publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, Dr. Marshall has dedicated herself to advancing the role of women and other under-represented groups in science and senior academic leadership.
鈥淒r. Marshall has displayed extraordinary dedication and passion for promoting women in science and in pushing for women to occupy leadership positions at AV俱乐部,鈥� notes Dr. Makrigiannis. 鈥淪he does not fear to be outspoken on this issue and is persistent in this endeavour. She is an excellent role model for our female trainees and new faculty and they often go to her for advice and mentorship.鈥�
World-leading research and impact
Dr. Marshall co-chairs Dal Med鈥檚 Leadership Diversity Task Force and is a member of the Women in Research Caucus at AV俱乐部. She is passionate about being a role model for others.
鈥淚 am fortunate that women are very prominent in immunology in Canada,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 had many role models who inspired and supported me and just showed me by their actions that women can excel in science. But, still, it wasn鈥檛 easy and there are still a lot of obstacles to overcome.鈥�
Dr. Marshall is also a strong proponent of interdisciplinary research collaboration and will make this the focus of her talk to the Canadian Society for Immunology in Banff this spring. One of the perks of the Cinader Award is the opportunity to be a keynote speaker at CSI鈥檚 annual meeting.
鈥淢y talk is ostensibly about mast cells but my larger message has to do with the critical importance of reaching out beyond our discipline to form powerful collaborations,鈥� Dr. Marshall says. 鈥淲e have done that with the AV俱乐部 Human Immunology and Inflammation Group and now the I3V Wave. We are working with clinicians, epidemiologists, neuroscientists, cancer biologists, and many others to ensure that we are asking the most clinically relevant questions and that our answers can be applied to improving human health. Collaboration is the key to really making an impact.鈥�