Margaret Baird

Margaret Alison Baird (née McIntyre; 1945 – 19 September 2016) was a New Zealand immunologist. She was a full professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Otago. Her research considered dendritic cells and their role in cancer and infectious disease.

Early life and education Baird was the daughter of Hazel and Alan McIntyre, and grew up in Tauranga, a small town that is on the North Island of New Zealand. She attended the University of Otago, where she studied zoology and graduated in 1967. She developed debating and drama programs for the school students. Her husband joined the King George VI School in Honiara in 1970, and soon after Baird followed to teach science and art. She was made a lecturer in the Microbiology Department at the University of Otago, where she investigated the role of dendritic cells in infectious diseases and cancer. She was promoted to Professor in 2011.

When Baird retired in 2012 she was made a part time Professor in the Department of Pathology at the University of Otago. In this capacity she studied the role of p53 in tumour suppression. She also studied how p53 was involved in the regulation of dendritic cell function.

Academic service Baird taught immunology courses at the University of Otago. In 2013 she was the first New Zealander to be awarded the Derrick Rowley Medal, which represents outstanding service to Immunology and the Australia and New Zealand Society for Immunology. The award is worth $5,000 AUD to fund a trans-Tasman lectureship. This lectureship will involve a series of guest lectures across New Zealand and Australia, focusing on the applicant's research, but also including perspectives on equity and balance in science careers.