A BRADFORD scientist has recalled his pioneering career as he prepares to retire at the age of 83.
Professor Diana Anderson met royalty, a former Prime Minister and the first female scientist at a major chemical firm.
His retirement as Professor of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Bradford marks the end of an illustrious career in scientific research.
Professor Anderson’s decades-long work has focused on the use of a single test for every type of cancer, including mutation, chromosome damage and repair deficiencies, and is recognized and respected worldwide.
Approximately 600 articles and 13 books have been published.
Professor Diana Anderson in one of the laboratories at the University of Bradford (Image: University of Bradford)
The award-winning scientist was recently praised in the ‘People with Purpose’ category at the 2023 Northern Power Women’s Awards.
She was a pioneer in the early stages of her career as the first female scientist at the chemical company ICI.
In 1974, she joined the ICI Central Toxicology Laboratory as Head of Mutagenesis Research and worked with the newly appointed male architect and engineer to help design a laboratory in which hazardous chemicals could be handled safely.
His research on genome stability in umbilical cord blood was groundbreaking.
This led to a major discovery showing how damaged DNA from the father’s smoking could be passed to the child, followed by advice that men should not smoke for three months before becoming pregnant to give time for the damaged DNA to be removed or repaired.
From left to right, former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (left to right) and Professor Diana Anderson (Image: University of Bradford)
Professor Anderson said: “I don’t see myself as a trailblazer. I worked at ICI, which was the best chemical company in the world at the time. when are they [ICI] They brought me in, they didn’t know what to do with me. The fact that there are no women’s toilets shows me how prepared they are.
“I always tried to be a mother, too. I’ve always found this important. This was my main role. It makes me proud that there are more women in science now.
Professor Diana Anderson photographed at Windsor Castle after being awarded the MBE in the 2022 New Year Honors List for services to Genetics and Reproductive Toxicology (Image: University of Bradford)
“The 1970s and 80s were a turning point for women in the workplace. It was exciting.”
Professor Anderson’s office at the University of Bradford contains framed photographs capturing key moments of his career.
One of them includes a meeting with former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, while another is in the 2022 New Year Honors list when she was awarded the MBE at Windsor Castle.
He was honored by King Charles for his services in the field of Genetics and Reproductive Toxicology.
Professor Anderson said: “Receiving my MBE was my proudest moment. People know you because of your own actions. I was excited when I received this.
“My career went the way I hoped it would. I wouldn’t want to do anything else. I’ve been very lucky.”
After working at the British Industrial Biological Research Association (BIBRA) from 1981, Professor Anderson moved to the University of Bradford in 2000, initially as Chair of Biomedical Sciences.
Past students at Bradford include Streatham Labor MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy.
Professor Anderson supervised 50 PhD students at the University of Bradford. Although he retires on April 24, he will continue to oversee the outcome of his four PhD students’ work on cancer research.
Professor Anderson has secured nearly £3 million in research funding and contributed significantly to the university’s research portfolio and cancer research.
He said: “I enjoyed every minute of my time at Bradford University. They told me ‘you know what you want to do, go and do it’. I was allowed to fly here.
“I always said that if I had my own laboratory, I would treat people the same way. There would be no official boss. I would let people continue this. You have to be fair to everyone. Nobody knows everything.
“The great thing would be to have an acceptable test for cancer or a united front on testing.
“I’m an experienced scientist, I think I am. “I think it is very difficult to retire.”
During his retirement, Professor Anderson plans to spend more time with his two daughters and four grandchildren and make regular visits to the theatre.
But he plans to do more scientific research and write more articles.