Sheena Cruickshank

Sheena Cruickshank is Professor of Public Engagement and Biomedical Science at the University of Manchester's Division of Immunology, Immunity to Infection and Respiratory Medicine. Her research focuses on immunity at barrier sites like skin and gut, examining how environmental factors like pollution and microbes influence immune responses. She serves as Trustee and Public Engagement Secretary for the British Society for Immunology and has held positions with the RSA and AAAS.

Her multidisciplinary research combines computational approaches with experimental immunology to investigate:

• Exposome impacts on barrier tissues
• Microbiome-immune system interactions
• Wound healing mechanisms
• Public engagement with science

Her publication trends show strong focus on dermatology and immunology (40%), public health communication (25%), microbiome research (20%) and environmental health (15%). Recent work emphasizes keratinocyte biology, vaccine uptake strategies, and science communication frameworks.

Honors include:

• British Society for Immunology Public Engagement Prize (2023)
• BBSRC Innovator of the Year Finalist (2016)
• Better World Awards for public engagement (2017)
• Best Postgraduate Research Supervisor (2016)

She directs research on infection awareness in underserved populations and leads public engagement initiatives translating immunology research for community benefit. Her lab employs yeast models, tissue cultures, and computational approaches to study fundamental immune processes.