Interview with Scientist Debbie Allen - International Women's Day

Debbie Allen is a remarkable woman who works away quietly and achieves incredible things. We are very grateful that she talked to us for International Women’s Day. She is also a big fan of our brand.

Despite early aspirations to study modern languages and music at university, Debbie graduated in Cellular Pathology at Bristol University, then pursued a PhD in London at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund Laboratories (now Cancer Research UK). She progressed her postdoctoral research initially in academia, then the biotechnology industry where she spent her career up until June 2019.

"I'm a scientist who actually had a eureka moment! An experiment I did back in the early nineties led to development of a drug, HUMIRA (adalimumab) that's been used to treat 1.4 million patients worldwide."

She has recently established her own charitable trust, the Andiamo Foundation, to support girls in pursuing educational and career opportunities in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths).

Debbie is married to David and lives in Cambridge.

What does International women’s day mean to you?

I haven't taken part in an International Women's Day event for a while. Nowadays I tend to reflect on the women who've shaped my life, those I mentor and support both in this country and overseas - and my amazing mum, who turns 90 at the end of March and continues to inspire me every day.

What woman or women really inspire you today?

Those women who fly in the face of inequality, injustice and poor social mobility to make the most of their lives and create opportunities for their children, often with little consideration of their own needs.

Which inspirational women past or present would you most have liked or would like to meet?

I've always wanted to meet Baroness Helena Kennedy, barrister and outstanding advocate for human rights, civil liberties and social justice. I read her book 'Eve was Framed' around 20 years ago and have followed her amazing career ever since. I've always worshipped her fearlessness, but her wit and humour makes me think she'd also be a lot of fun!

What piece of advice would you most liked to have been told if you were starting out in your career again?

Know when to ask for help. Even today, that one is still work in progress!

What has the biggest disappointment been to you in your career?

It's 40 years since I completed my PhD in a brilliant cancer research institute here in the UK, yet we still have so much to learn about this disease. I guess that's more sobering than disappointing.

What has been your proudest achievement  in life or in your career?

I'm a scientist who actually had a eureka moment! An experiment I did back in the early nineties led to development of a drug that's been used to treat 1.4 million patients worldwide.

And finally do you think that women will ever achieve total equality?

Even if we do - and some days I admit I'm less optimistic than others - I don't think women will ever stop striving to support each other, collaborate and make the world better than the one we arrived in.