![Ita Askonas (Copyright: Wellcome Images)](http://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/image/mainnews2012/17015.jpg)
![](http://www.imperial.ac.uk/assets/news/img/main_image_shd.png)
Brigitte (Ita) Askonas, a leading figure in modern immunology, has died at the age of 89.
Brigitte Askonas, known widely as Ita, has died at the age of 89. Askonas was a leading figure in modern immunology, her work leading to the development of many new vaccines. Here, Professor Peter Openshaw shares his thoughts.
Ita Askonas was deeply committed to encouraging those developing a career in immunology. She came to Imperial regularly during the 25 years of her retirement, meeting with students at St Mary's and South Kensington and attending many of our seminars and research meetings. Her insights were always stimulating and her support and mentorship to the immunology community at Imperial were invaluable. Her extraordinarily generosity was recognised by the award of a Fellowship of Imperial College London, one of our highest honours. She will be sadly missed.
(Copyright: Wellcome Images)
Article text (excluding photos or graphics) available under an Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Creative Commons license.
Photos and graphics subject to third party copyright used with permission or © Imperial College London.
Reporter
![Ruth O'Donnell](http://www.imperial.ac.uk/assets/news/img/avatar.png)
Ruth O'Donnell
National Heart & Lung Institute
![Click to expand or contract Click to expand or contract](http://www.imperial.ac.uk/assets/news/img/expand_arrow.png)
Contact details
Email: press.office@imperial.ac.uk
Show all stories by this author