Prof Teresa Lambe stresses need for inter-pandemic research

At the Clongowes event are Yvonne Nolan, Head of Science, Clongowes Wood College; Glenda Groome, chair of the college PA; Prof Teresa Lambe; the Rector of Clongowes, Fr Sheil, and the Headmaster, Chris Lumb.

The need to generate information on potentially dangerous viruses in between pandemics was a key element of a talk by Kilcullen-born Professor Teresa Lambe, when she gave the inaugural Fr Sheil People for Others Honorary Address at Clongowes Wood College, writes Brian Byrne. The event was in conjunction with the college's Science Department and was established as a living tribute to the Rector of the College, Fr Sheil's lifelong dedication to education.

Under the title of Lessons I learned from a pandemic, Prof Lambe, co-developer of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, discussed the importance of vaccines in general, particularly current major pathogens of concern. Many are concentrated in Africa, the Middle East and Asia; at least one, Marburg, is already found in Germany and Serbia. She compared the typical development process of a vaccine, taking 5-10 years, to how quickly the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was designed, tested and made ready for licensing. As a result, the 'new' development process can now take less than a year.

Noting that the vaccine she co-designed was the one with the greatest global reach, of 170 countries, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she reminded those at the talk that over 3 billion doses had been released to more than 180 countries, and an estimated 6 million lives had been saved by it. She described the importance of communication in gaining acceptance of a vaccine during a pandemic, touching on the dangers of misinformation. Referencing a report commissioned in 2021 that offered recommendations to enable preparedness for response to the next pandemic, she said there are 25 viral families known to affect people.

Prof Lambe emphasised the importance of virus investigators partnering early with pharmaceutical companies, and that global collaboration is the key to being prepared for the next pandemic event.

Professor Lambe was invited to give the inaugural address by the Head of the college's Science Department, Yvonne Nolan, who had been a classmate of hers in Kilcullen's Cross and Passion College. The evening brought together a diverse audience of scientists, educationalists, parents, and students.

Glenda Groome, chair of the Clongowes Parents Association, thanked Prof Lambe for sharing her insights and experiences, which she said had brought vividly to life what it means to be a person of others. "You have reminded us that real success is not measured by accolades but by the impact we have on others," she said. It was particularly fitting, she said, that her contribution inaugurated the Fr Sheil People for Others Honorary Address.

Last May, Prof Lambe gave the Commencement Address to the Graduate School Class of 2025 at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, USA. In CPC Kilcullen, a Tess Lambe Bursary is sponsored by the Board of Management, along with the local community and the sisters of the Cross & Passion. It is applicable to female students in Leaving Certificate classes who are studying any STEM subject at third level. Since it was established in 2021, five students of CPC have received it.

(This article was first published in the Kildare Nationalist.)

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Presidential Award for Teresa Lambe

Teresa Lambe by Zoom at the launch of the Bursary in her name last year.

Professor Teresa Lambe, originally from Kilcullen, is a recipient of the 2022 Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad.

One of the co-developers of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, Teresa works at The Jennings Institute at Oxford University, and is the daughter of Mary and Tony Lambe of Nicholastown.

The Awards recognise the service given to this country or to Irish communities abroad by those who live outside Ireland.

Irish dancer Morgan Bullock, and Paralympic cyclist Katie-George Dunlevy are also among those named in the Awards, as are Mary Ellen McGroarty, who works for the World Food Programme in Afghanistan, and Fr Richard (Dick) O’Riordan, a missionary in South Africa.

A Teresa Lambe Bursary Fund was launched in Kilcullen a year ago, intended for girls at CPC going on to study science and technology subjects at third level. 

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Strong support committed to Tess Lambe Bursary

Even before its launch last night, there has been enough support committed for the new Tess Lambe Bursary Fund to enable it for two years, writes Brian Byrne.

This was revealed by Noel Clare at the well-attended event in Kilcullen Heritage Centre. Funding for the bursaries — intended for girls at CPC going on to study science and technology subjects at third level — has already been pledged by individuals, the Kilcullen Lions Club, the Board of Management of Cross & Passion College, the Sisters of the Cross & Passion, and others.

The launch included video messages from Deirdre Smith, Global Vice President of Technology Innovation at Kerry Group in Naas; Professor Luke O'Neill; and Gary Duffy, formerly from Kilcullen and a CPC student and now a Professor in the School of Medicine at UCG.

Professor Teresa Lambe from The Jennings Institute at Oxford University, a key member of the team that developed the AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19, was the special guest of the night via Zoom. Her parents, Mary and Tony Lambe of Nicholastown, were also present.

Rachel Creighton, Jessie Clifford Broughall, and Rachel O'Sullivan.

In the course of the evening, former CPC students Rachel O'Sullivan and Jessie Clifford Broughall described how they had become interested in science and gone on to study in the field, and Zoologist Rachel Creighton spoke about her experiences working with Dublin Zoo.

Opening last night's proceedings, Ray Kelly said the idea of providing an educational bursary came about because 'the achievements of one of our own should be recognised'. "We all know Tess Lambe's work on the AstraZeneca vaccine, but her work on other vaccines has also led to thousands, even millions of lives being saved." He said the other reason for the bursary is to encourage more girls to go into the sciences. "And we have in Kilcullen excellent role models to encourage that."

In her message, Kerry Group's Deirdre Smith said Professor Teresa Lambe's story is 'absolutely inspirational'. She said that all CEOs are passionate about recruiting more young women into a science career. "I have had a wonderful career myself, and loved every bit of the journey. It is the thing about science, you are always learning something new."

Professor Luke O'Neill noted that Tess Lambe had been a key scientist in the development of 'a very important vaccine'. He said the provision of a bursary was an excellent way to acknowledge that, and he wished well to all the students who would be receiving the support.

Professor Gary Duffy extended his congratulations to Tess Lambe, and said the idea to provide a bursary in her name for CPC is 'fantastic'. Noting the impact which her work has had on the world, he said all those in science can hope that their own work and research can have a similar impact over time.

On the Zoom link from Oxford, Professor Lambe she was 'honoured, humbled, surprised and shocked' that the bursary was being organised in her name. "It's not something I ever expected. Kilcullen is my home, it's where I grew up, it's a huge part of my heart, so thank you again." Recalling her own time in CPC, she extended a heartfelt thanks to Noel Clare for 'putting up with my never-ending questions in Biology class'. "You had the patience of a saint, though I know there were one or two occasions when you avoided my hand up in class." Amid laughter, Noel stoutly denied that.

She said her subsequent career path was also based on 'always asking questions, I've always been inquisitive', and she is looking forward very much to meeting the student recipients of the bursary and showing them the work in Oxford. Her advice to young people starting out is to 'follow the things that you love' whatever the ups and downs. "You're going to mess up, you're going to fall down, make sure you're able to pick yourself up — and that's where it's so important to have family and friends around you to help you along."

During the conversation, Tess spoke about the work involved in developing the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine, noting that much of the research had already been done in the study of previous coronaviruses. She emphasised that no corners had been cut in safety terms in getting the vaccine developed in a very short time, the only difference was that 'a big financial risk' had been taken so that a successful vaccine could be quickly provided.

After that segment, PhD student in Organic Chemistry Rachel O'Sullivan spoke about her interest in science being triggered back as far as her primary school days. "I remember doing experiments watching things blow up, and that was exciting. Then in secondary school I had a wonderful science teacher, Eleanor Higgins, who was incredibly inspiring, and Jude Harkin for Chemistry, also an incredibly inspiring teacher." She added that it is so important to have role models like Teresa Lambe for women to look up to and say, 'yes, I think I want to be like that'."

Rachel Creighton recalled that growing up on her parents farm — she's the daughter of Barney and Dorly O'Sullivan — she had a great interest in natural life. "I wanted to know why animals behave like they do, and how eco-systems work, or crash." After working in TCD where she graduated, she 'kind of fell into — I needed a job' working at Dublin Zoo where she initially became an assistant elephant keeper. "The great thing about Dublin Zoo is that they are very progressive in wanting to create ways to enhance the animals' natural behaviour," she said, and while working at the Zoo hadn't been where she thought she would be in her career, she loved it. Rachel has now returned with her husband to help work the family farm.

For Jessie Clifford Broughall, the inspiration of her CPC science teachers was also a key motivation to go on in science. Recently graduated with First Class Honours in Microbiology from TUS Athlone, she is now working with a start-up veterinary bio-pharmaceutical company in Tullamore, Zoetis, as a Quality Assurance Specialist. "From early on, Biology was where it was for me, and Eleanor Higgins was so passionate about microbiology, it became something I was very interested in." The shift to QA is a reflection of her interest in science in industry.

Closing the event by announcing the formal launch of the Tess Lambe Bursary, Noel Clare said it was aimed at 'science subjects in the broadest sense' of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). "Our initial thought was to do it for one year, and if the money came in we can continue it. I'm very glad to say that the response means we can already do it for two years. And in presenting this bursary, we are also honouring all the front-line workers who have helped us through this covid crisis."   

He encouraged those present to think about donating through the Kildare Credit Union account set up in the Kilcullen branch, and to spread the word. Account details: Tess Lambe Bursary Fund; IBAN: IE02KIRI99217910400892.

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Prestigious academic award for Kilcullen's Professor Teresa Lambe

Kilcullen native Professor Teresa Lambe OBE, Calleva Head of Immunology at the Oxford Vaccine Group, and Principal Investigator at the Pandemic Sciences Institute, has been elected a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, one of the most prestigious awards in the field, writes Brian Byrne.

Daughter of Mary and Tony Lambe of Nicholastown, Teresa was one of the co-developers of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. She is one of 58 exceptional biomedical and health scientists elected as Fellows for their outstanding contributions to advancing ground-breaking research discoveries, and translating developments into benefits for patients and wider society. Describing her election as 'a huge honour' Teresa said she has been fortunate to work with incredibly talented colleagues over the course of her career both in the UK and worldwide. "I’m incredibly proud that this work has been recognised.”

Teresa received her OBE for her work in the development of the Astra-Zenica vaccine, and was also the recipient a 2022 Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad, which recognises the service given to this country or to Irish communities abroad by those who live outside Ireland. A Teresa Lambe Bursary Fund was launched in Kilcullen in 2021, intended for girls at CPC going on to study science and technology subjects at third level.

Professor Lambe's group is currently developing and testing vaccines against a number of outbreak pathogens including Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, Ebola virus, Marburg virus and Coronaviruses. A number of these vaccines have progressed to clinical trial assessment, including vaccines against Ebola and Marburg virus.

The new Fellows will be formally admitted to the Academy at a ceremony on Wednesday 18 September 2024.

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Teresa Lambe to give University of Notre Dame address

Teresa on right, presenting Hannah Lee Parnell with a bursary in CPC last November, with principal Joe Leonard.

Kilcullen-born and former CPC student Professor Teresa Lambe will give the keynote address at the Commencement Ceremony at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, USA, next Saturday, writes Brian Byrne. She will also be awarded an honorary doctor of science degree at the university the following day.

From Nicholastown, Teresa is Calleva Head of Vaccine Immunology at the University of Oxford, currently focusing her research on developing and testing vaccines against a number of pathogens, including Ebola virus, Marburg virus disease, and coronaviruses. She played a critical role in the fight against COVID-19 as a principal investigator in the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine programme. The vaccine is estimated to have saved more than six million lives in 2021 alone.

Saying that she is humbled to receive the honorary degree from Notre Dame and honoured to speak at the Graduate School's Commencement Ceremony, she has commended the 'strong sense of purpose and mission at Notre Dame'. "Embodied by alumni, staff, and students alike, this spirit of grit, determination, and compassion will serve us well as we move through life’s many adventures,” she says.

The latest degree award will add to a long list: an OBE for her service to sciences and public health in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours and the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad in 2022. In 2024, she was named a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, and last year she was also presented with a special Kilcullen Community Award.

The Teresa Lambe Bursary Fund was established in Kilcullen in 2021, with support from Kilcullen Lions Club, the Board of Management of Cross & Passion College, the Sisters of the Cross & Passion, and others. It provides support for girls at CPC going on to study science and technology subjects at third level.

Teresa's parents are Mary and Tony Lambe of Nicholastown.

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Irish immunology award for Prof Teresa Lambe

Professor Teresa Lambe OBE, formerly from Kilcullen, has won the Irish Society for Immunology Annual Award for Immunology 2023, for her contributions to Immunology research and education, writes Brian Byrne.

Professor Lambe is Principal Investigator and Associate Professor at the Jenner Institute for Vaccine Research in Oxford and a key member of the team that developed the AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19. She is the daughter of Mary and Tony Lambe of Nicholastown, and a former student of CPC Kilcullen. 

The award was presented in Trinity College Dublin last night.

Teresa was also a recipient of the 2022 Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad, presented to her by President Michael D Higgins last December. She was presented with an honorary OBE in June 2021 for her services to science and public health in the UK.

A Teresa Lambe Bursary Fund has been established in Kilcullen, intended for girls at CPC going on to study science and technology subjects at third level.

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Tess Lambe elected to Royal Irish Academy

Prof Teresa Lambe speaking to CPC students in November 2024.

Kilcullen-born scientist Prof Teresa Lambe has been elected as an Honorary Member of the Royal Irish Academy, writes Sean Landers. The daughter of Mary and Tony Lambe of Nicholastown, her election is announced in the current newsletter of the RIA, among 29 new members.

People are admitted to the Academy, the highest academic honour in Ireland, for their exceptional contribution to the sciences, humanities and social sciences as well as to public service. Members are elected by their peers in recognition of outstanding scholarly achievement and their contribution to knowledge and society.

The citation reads: Teresa Lambe OBE FMedSci is Professor of Vaccinology and Immunology at the University of Oxford. An internationally recognised expert in translational vaccinology, she co-designed the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in 2020. Her research continues to shape responses to epidemic threats, with multiple vaccines from her group selected for WHO ring vaccination strategies. Her expertise readily combines discovery science with experimental medicine to enable translational impact.

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Teresa receives award from President

Kilcullen-born Professor Teresa Lambe was one of a number of people who were presented with the 2022 Presidential Distinguished Service Awards last week, by President Michael D Higgins at a ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin.

Teresa works at Jennings Institute at Oxford University, a key member of the team that developed the AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19. Her parents and Mary and Tony Lambe of Nicholastown. 

The Awards are presented by the President every year, in recognition of the service given to this country, or to Irish communities abroad, by those who live outside Ireland.

They were created in 2011, as a means to recognise the contribution of members of the Irish diaspora.

The 2022 recipients are —

Arts, Culture and Sport: Morgan Bullock (US), Katie-George Dunlevy (Britain),, Joseph M. Hassett (US), Fergus Linehan (Britain).

Business and Education: Wang Zhanpeng & Chen Li (China).

Charitable Works: Ciarán Staunton & Orlaith Staunton (US).

Irish Community Support: Josephine O’Driscoll (Britain).

Peace, Reconciliation and Development: Mary Ellen McGroarty (Afghanistan), Fr. Richard (Dick) O’Riordan (South Africa).

Science, Technology and Innovation: Teresa Lambe (Britain). 

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Teresa Lambe calls for 'wiser and kinder' leaders for 'the greater good'

Image: Notre Dame News

Collaboration and the diversity of thought among teams around the world was the 'superpower' that helped bring COVID-19 under control, Professor Teresa Lambe told the Graduate School Class of 2025 at the University of Notre Dame in Illinois, USA, writes Brian Byrne. The Kilcullen-born co-designer of the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine which saved six million lives also said that kind of collaboration sometimes isn't celebrated enough.

According to a report from the event in the Notre Dame News, the former CPC student from Nicholastown — her parents are Mary and Tony Lambe — told her audience that the world doesn't just need smarter people. "It needs wiser and kinder ones. People who are not afraid to lead, and just as willing to listen, and are working for a greater good." She added that "that's the kind of graduate Notre Dame produces." Noting that she has made a career fighting 'tiny but mighty threats' that 'don't care for borders', she said "I've seen what humans can do when we put ego aside and pull together,”

With a bursary fund in her name to support CPC young women in third level in STEM subjects, she also took a swipe at the propensity to label women in her field by their gender. “I’ve often been called a ‘female scientist,’ as though my chromosomes should precede my contributions. But here’s the truth: I am a scientist. Full stop. You don’t need to label what I am to validate it. Labels can be lazy, they can be reductionist. What we need are conversations. Collaborations. Courage.”

Teresa will be awarded an honorary doctor of science degree at the university later today. Introducing her yesterday, John T McGreevy, the Charles and Jill Fischer Provost of Notre Dame, said her work is fuelled not just by intellect and scientific curiosity, but by a genuine care for humanity and a dedication to protecting the most vulnerable. “Her career stands as a powerful reminder that rigorous scholarship, when combined with compassion and courage, can change the world,” he said.

As Calleva Head of Vaccine Immunology at the University of Oxford, teresa is currently focusing her research on developing and testing vaccines against a number of pathogens, including Ebola virus, Marburg virus disease, and coronaviruses.

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An OBE for Teresa Lambe

Professor Teresa Lambe, who was one of the lead scientists in the development of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, is to be awarded an honorary OBE for services to science and public health in the UK, writes Brian Byrne.

The OBE is listed in the Birthday Honours of Britain's Queen Elizabeth.

Professor Lambe, from Nicholastown in Kilcullen, is Principal Investigator and Associate Professor at the Jenner Institute for Vaccine Research in Oxford. She is a past pupil of Cross and Passion College.

She heads the Lambe Group at the Institute which was established after the Ebolavirus outbreak of 2013-2016, with a focus on developing novel vaccines against a number of pathogens with pandemic potential. These include Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus, Lassa virus, Nipah virus, Influenza, Ebolavirus and coronaviruses.

The Institute is led by Professor Adrian Hill, from Dublin, who is to receive an honorary knighthood.

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Tess Lambe presents the 2024 Bursary in her name

Hannah Lee Parnell receiving her Bursary from Tess Lambe, with CPC Principal Joe Leonard.

The Tess Lambe Bursary for 2024 was awarded today to former student CPC student Hannah Lee Parnell, who is studying Biological, Biomedical and Biomolecular Science at UCD, writes Brian Byrne. It was presented by the person for whom it is named, past CPC and UCD student Professor Teresa Lambe, whose family still live in Nicholastown and who co-designed the Oxford AstraZeneca covid vaccine programme. Tess is the Calleva Head of Vaccine Immunology at the University of Oxford.

The occasion, in the CPC Assembly Hall with senior students present along with the college Principal Joe Leonard, was also to honour Professor Lambe herself for her services and contributions to science and to public health and as a distinguished alumnus of Cross & Passion College. 

She was introduced by Biology teacher Eleanor Higgins, who said it was 'an incredible opportunity' for those present to hear from  "someone who has gone from these halls and made a world-changing impact from which we all benefit." The impactful visitor was presented with a piece of ceramic art created by the college's art teacher Lesley Kelly. Another piece was presented to the school.

The Bursary is sponsored by the Board of Management along with the local community and the sisters of the Cross & Passion, in association with Tess, and is applicable to female students Leaving Certificate classes who are studying any STEM subject at third level. It has previously been awarded to Edwina Birchall in 2023, and to three students in 2021, Halo Domican, Iona Lee Parnell and Saoirse Fletcher.

In a question and answer session with the assembled students today, Tess Lambe urged them to 'follow their curiosity' in their lives after second level, and gave an example of how she had done that even while still in CPC. "I think Noel Clare will attest to the fact that when he was my science teacher here I was the one who kept putting my hand up in class. To the point that he started to dodge the questions and say I'd learn the answers in university."

Among the guests at the event was another local alumnus who has done well, Minister of State Martin Heydon, and Sr Maire from the Cross & Passion Sisters.

In concluding remarks, Principal Leonard said they were celebrating a "remarkable scientist, a dedicated researcher, and a proud daughter of Kilcullen." 

All the Diary's pictures from the occasion can be seen here.

Tess Lambe is in Kilcullen for this evening's Community Awards. We'll have further reports from both events in due course.

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