Marion Reid (scientist)
Marion Elizabeth Reid is a British scientist specialising in immunohematology and author based in Bristol. She has worked in both the United Kingdom and the United States.
Early life and education
Reid was born in Winchester, England. At age 10, she was told she was "incapable of beingtaught" and "would have a hard time holding a job".
Reid trained as a medical technologist at the North East Blood Metropolitan Transfusion Service in Brentwood before earning her PhD in biochemistry from the CNAA in Bristol. She qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology, now the Institute of Biomedical Science. She holds a Master of Science in clinical science from San Francisco State University.
Career
Reid directed the Laboratory of Immunohematology at the New York Blood Center, where she led the transition from serologic methods for characterizing red cell antigens and antibodies to a combination of serology and DNA-based genotyping of blood group antigens.She published hundreds of articles and was described by reviewers as a "scientist and
world-renowned immunohematologist". Her laboratory identified novel blood group antigens and alleles in several different ethnic groups. She holds a patent for a DNA-based method to identify compatible donors for patients requiring blood transfusions.
Personal life
Reid lives in Clifton, Bristol.Reid's retirement hobby of green woodworking makes her a bodger. In 2020 she was president of Bristol Soroptimist International, and published 100 Years of Sisterhood: Bristol Fashion.
Select publications
- Bloody Brilliant! A History of Blood Groups and Blood Groupers, AABB Press, 2016.
- The Blood Group Antigen Factsbook, 3rd ed., Academic Press, 2012.
- The Discovery and Significance of the Blood Groups, SBB Books, 2012
Non-scientific
*Awards
- AABB's Bernard Fantus Lifetime Achievement Medal, 2024
- James Blundell Award, British Blood Transfusion Society, 2014
- AABB's Emily Cooley Memorial Award, 2012
- Honorary Doctor of Science, University of Plymouth, 2011
- International Woman in Transfusion Award, 2006