A new blue plaque has been unveiled to honour an influential scientist who made breakthroughs during the 20th Century.

On Wednesday, September 7, the Salisbury Civic Society and Salisbury Soroptimists unveiled a blue plaque to Dr Marina Seabright at the Old Salisbury Infirmary on Fisherton Street.

Dr Seabright worked at Salisbury Infirmary and was fundamental in the field of Cytogenetics – the study of cells, looking for abnormalities that could indicate a genetic disease or disorder.

Her research is still used today, with many of her former colleagues leading their own laboratories across the country. 

Mayor of Salisbury, Atiqul Hoque, and Dame Rosemary Spencer, Patron of the Civic Society, did the honours and unveiled the plaque

Guests included former colleagues of Dr Seabright who travelled to Salisbury to honour her memory.

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Salisbury Journal: Unveiling of Blue Plaque to Dr Marina Seabright

Her former colleagues described Dr Seabright as a 'larger-than-life' personality, with a strong European accent, who not only did not necessarily follow the rules, smoked strong cigarettes and loved gossip.

At the ceremony, Jenny Hair, recalled working with Dr Seabright when she was a young HR executive. Dr Seabright did not want to follow rules and procedures but urged Jenny to find a way to get what she wanted to happen. 

Dr Christine Waterman, consultant clinical scientist of Wessex Genomics Laboratory Service at Salisbury District Hospital, told the audience about Dr Seabright's career and how she had set up the Genomics Laboratory. Many of those who worked under Dr Seabright went on to lead other laboratories around the country.

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Salisbury Journal: Unveiling of Blue Plaque to Dr Marina Seabright

Nick Dennis spoke about his career under Marina and said she described him as “not a bad chap, just needs a kick up the backside occasionally”. He thought she was fairly accurate.

John Harvey spoke of his career move from Porton Down to Salisbury Genomics Department where under Dr Seabright he was nurtured and trusted. She was happy for him to prove himself beyond his designated grade - under her guidance many breakthroughs in genetics took place, including work on Fragile X, cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy.

Before retiring in 1987, Dr Seabright ensured the future success of the laboratory by appointing Dr Pat Jacobs to take on her role.