The ISI Award for Immunology

Each year the ISI present the "ISI Annual Award for Immunology" to an outstanding Irish immunologist in recognition of their major contribution to the understanding of immunology and health improvement.

The award, which alternates between an immunologist based in Ireland and an Irish immunologist based abroad, is presented to the recipient at the beginning of their public lecture.

The annual public lecture also marks part of the ISI’s contribution to the European Day of Immunology, as organized by the European Federation of Immunological Societies (EFIS).

The annual public lecture, as organised by the ISI, is given under the auspices of an ISI/Irish Times lecture. Each year, presentation of the recipient with the ISI Public Lecture Award Medal is followed by a lecture by the recipient and a Q&A session.

ISI Award recipient 2025
Professor Derek G. Doherty
Irish Immunologist based in Ireland

Prof. Derek Doherty served as a Professor in Immunology and Head of Discipline in Immunology in Trinity College Dublin until his retirement in 2025. Prof. Doherty completed his PhD at King’s College London and subsequently, undertook postdoctoral training at the University of Washington, Seattle, USA and University College Dublin, Ireland. His research has extended over 30+ years and has addressed the role of human T cells in chronic viral infections (hepatitis B, C and HIV) and in immunotherapy for cancer.

Prof. Doherty’s research group, the Cellular Immunology Group (Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin 8), focussed on the roles and treatment-potential of innate T cells in cancer. In collaboration with clinicians, scientists and industry partners, Prof. Doherty investigated the biology of NKT cells, γδ T cell subsets, and MAIT cells in healthy donors and in patients with lung, oesophageal, gastric, liver, colorectal and blood cancers. His research determined that many innate T cell subsets are depleted in cancer patients.

Prof. Doherty has played a major role in translating immunology findings into clinical trials (via St James’s Hospital) for innate T cell therapies. In parallel with his research contributions, Prof. Doherty also significantly contributed to immunology teaching and outreach activities over several decades and at a number of Irish universities.