Anne Dell is a biochemist who studies the role played by sugars in human health and disease. By determining how the sugar-rich layer that surrounds cells acts as an identifier, Anne’s work is helping to answer diverse biological questions such as how pathogens camouflage themselves against our immune system and how developing foetuses avoid being rejected.

Her research has led to the development of many ultrahigh sensitivity mass spectrometry methods for studying the structure of carbohydrates, with varied applications for biomedical research. In parallel, Anne established GlycoTRIC at Imperial College London, which works to promote the transfer of glycobiology to biomedical applications.

Anne has received numerous awards in recognition of her contributions to science, including the 2003 Haworth Memorial Lectureship of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the prestigious Roy L. Whistler International Award of the International Carbohydrate Organisation in 2000. She received a CBE in 2009 for her services to science. In 2011, she served as President of the Society for Glycobiology.