At 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s 1948-1955
Beatrice Josephine Bancroft was a pioneering woman in STEM known as the first scientist to study the reproductive organs of an Australian marsupial – the sugar glider.
Coming from a long line of pioneering, well-known Queensland scientists, she continued the family tradition as a scientist herself. Her great grandfather, Sir Joseph Bancroft, was a parasitologist best known for his discovery of the filarial worm, Wucheria bancrofti, a cause of the disease elephantiasis. The Bancroft Centre, home of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR), is named in his honour.
Beatrice’s grandfather, Thomas Lane Bancroft, was a well-known doctor and naturalist, who included in his work studies on parasitology and the Queensland lung-fish. His most important discoveries were related to mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases, especially dengue fever.
Thomas’ daughter, Mabel Jospehine Mackerras, became a noted parasitologist and she is best known for her research into malaria, parasites and the role of cockroaches in the transmission of salmonella.
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