UK-based scientist receives Weekly Gleaner Honour Award

LONDON:

Dr Donald Palmer, an associate professor of immunology at The Royal Veterinary College in London, was presented with the Science and Technology Award at The Weekly Gleaner UK Honour Awards luncheon last month.

Palmer’s job involves studying and teaching how the human body protects itself from infections and malfunctions, including cancer. He is especially interested in the way the immune system changes with age.

The scientist is currently on the editorial advisory board for Immunology News and is also a member of the British Society for Research on Ageing.

Speaking after receiving his award, Palmer said: “I feel humble to be acknowledged and rewarded at this event. It was a surprise to receive my award and to meet some of my heroes, like the writer Linton Kwesi Johnson and musician Carroll Thompson.”

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He added: “The view of my award is heightened because it was from The Weekly Gleaner. My parents are from Jamaica and came to the UK in the 1950s, and The Weekly Gleaner newspaper was often read in their home as I grew up. My mother has returned to Jamaica and is now living in Clarendon and I’m sure she is telling everyone about the award I’ve received.

“Those from the Windrush generation, like my parents, did not always do the jobs they liked, but they wanted the next generation to use education to rise to the next level socially and economically.”

Dr Palmer believes it’s important that aspiring individuals from the African-Caribbean community receive recognition for their achievements, particularly in fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Commenting on the relevance of pursuing careers in STEM subjects, the 61-year-old researcher said: “It’s really important that people from our community develop skills in STEM subjects. When we look at the modern world, it’s these subjects that are the major forces for change.”

Palmer is the co-founder and director of the Reach Society charity, which provides young men with the encouragement, motivation and inspiration to discover their potential.