{{short description|British immunologist living in Canada}} {{Infobox scientist | name = Eleanor N. Fish | honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|size=100%|CM}} | alma_mater = {{plain list| *University of Toronto *University of Manchester *King's College London}} | thesis_title = Structure/function studies on recombinant DNA-derived human interferons | thesis_url = http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/23651798 | thesis_year = 1990 | workplaces = University of Toronto | birth_place = London | website = [https://www.immunology.utoronto.ca/content/eleanor-fish Eleanor Fish at the University of Toronto] }}
'''Eleanor N. Fish''' {{post-nominals|country=CAN|CM}} is a Canadian immunologist who is a Professor of Immunology at the University of Toronto. Her research considers how cytokines and chemokines interact with receptors in cells and tissue. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fish tested interferon-alpha as a treatment for coronavirus disease.
== Early life and education == Fish was born in the United Kingdom and grew up in London.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=http://www.eleanorfish.com/about.html|title=About|website=Eleanor Fish|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> As a child she was interested in music and fine art.<ref name=":6" /> She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Manchester.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hstalks.com/expert/2054/prof-eleanor-fish/|title=Prof. Eleanor Fish|website=HSTalks|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> She moved to King's College London for her graduate studies, where she worked toward a master's degree in virology. For her doctoral research she joined the University of Toronto, where she studied cell biology. Her research established structure–function relationships in human interferons derived from recombinant DNA.<ref>{{Cite thesis|title=Structure/function studies on recombinant DNA-derived human interferons|publisher=National Library of Canada|date=1990|place=Ottawa|language=English|first=Eleanor N|last=Fish|oclc=23651798}}</ref> She has studied art at the OCAD University.<ref name=":6" />
== Research and career == Fish is involved with investigations into cytokines and the development of broad spectrum antiviral drugs.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.immunopaedia.org.za/interviews/audio-interviews/eleanor-fish-interview/|title=Eleanor Fish Interview {{!}} Immunopaedia|date=30 April 2018|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uhnresearch.ca/researcher/eleanor-n-fish|title=Eleanor N Fish, PhD|last=|first=|date=|website=UHN Research|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827222629/http://www.uhnresearch.ca:80/researcher/eleanor-n-fish |archive-date=2016-08-27 |access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> In an effort to understand rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, Fish has investigated the immune responses that underpin autoimmunity.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aasciences.africa/fellow/fish-eleanor-n|title=Fish Eleanor N. {{!}} The AAS|website=www.aasciences.africa|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref>
In 2003 Fish led investigations antivirals that could into the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in Toronto.<ref name=":0" /> She investigated the use of interferon-alpha (IFN-α) corticosteroids to treat patients with SARS, and showed in a clinical trial that IFN-α treatment was associated with a reduction in impaired oxygen saturation, lung abnormalities and lower levels of creatine kinase.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|author1=Mona Loutfy|last2=Blatt|first2=Lawrence M.|last3=Siminovitch|first3=Katharine A.|last4=Ward|first4=Sarah|last5=Wolff|first5=Bryan|last6=Lho|first6=Hyoung|last7=Pham|first7=Dieu H.|last8=Deif|first8=Hassan|last9=LaMere|first9=Elizabeth A.|last10=Chang|first10=Margaret|last11=Kain|first11=Kevin C.|date=2003-12-24|title=Interferon alfacon-1 plus corticosteroids in severe acute respiratory syndrome: a preliminary study|journal=JAMA|volume=290|issue=24|pages=3222–3228|doi=10.1001/jama.290.24.3222|issn=1538-3598|pmid=14693875|doi-access=}}</ref> IFN-α is a naturally occurring protein that is produced in response to viral infection, and has been shown to have therapeutic properties in the treatment of viral infections.<ref name=":3" /> They do this by triggering an immune response as well as inhibiting the virus from multiplying.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/01/31/is-there-another-weapon-in-the-coronavirus-fight-a-toronto-researcher-wants-to-shout-it-from-the-rooftops.html|title=Is there another weapon in the coronavirus fight? A Toronto researcher wants to 'shout it from the rooftops'|date=2020-02-03|website=thestar.com|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> The success of these clinical trials prompted her group to examine the use of IFN-α as a treatment for emerging infectious diseases, including Influenza A virus subtype H1N1.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/funding-for-antiviral-research-key-in-flu-fight-doctor-says/article4281428/|title=Funding for antiviral research key in flu fight doctor says|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref>
Fish has investigated the use of IFN-α as a treatment for ebola virus disease.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scientuspharma.com/scientus-leadership/eleanor-n-fish/|title=Eleanor N. Fish|website=Scientus Pharma|language=en-CA|access-date=2020-04-29}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In 2017 she led a clinical trial where she observed that patients treated with IFN-α had better outcomes than those receiving conventional treatment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170321092637.htm|title=Interferon drug shows promise in treating Ebola|website=ScienceDaily|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-scientists-discover-hepatitis-drug-slashes-ebola-death-rate-in-possible-breakthrough|title=Canadian scientists discover hepatitis drug slashes Ebola death rate in possible breakthrough {{!}} National Post|last1=News|last2=Canada|newspaper=National Post|date=2017-03-20|language=en-CA|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> After this study, the IFN-α developed by Fish was used to treat patients with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).<ref name=":4"/> Fish worked with the World Health Organization to establish the effectiveness of ebola vaccines and therapeutic interventions.<ref name=":0" />
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fish provided regular expert commentary to the media and public.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://themedium.ca/features/analyzing-the-2019-novel-coronavirus/|title=Analyzing the 2019 Novel Coronavirus|date=2020-02-03|website=The Medium|language=en-CA|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> She called for widespread testing and contact tracing to better understand the spread of the disease.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2020/04/14/who-issues-guidelines-for-lifting-coronavirus-restrictions-is-canada-ready/|title=WHO issues guidelines for lifting coronavirus restrictions. Is Canada ready? - CityNews Toronto|website=toronto.citynews.ca|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> With regards to the observation that men are more likely to die of coronavirus disease than women, Fish said that women generally have a more robust immune system, as well as better hygiene.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/why-do-some-people-exposed-to-coronavirus-get-sick-and-others-don-t-1.4870078?cache=%3FclipId%3D68597%2F5-things-to-know-for-tuesday-october-1-2019-1.4618234%3FcontactForm%3Dtrue%3FcontactForm%3Dtrue%3FcontactForm%3Dtrue|title=Why do some people exposed to coronavirus get sick and others don't?|date=2020-03-26|website=Coronavirus|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}{{dead link|date=July 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Early results from China indicated that interferon treatment, similar to the approach that Fish had used for SARS and Ebola virus disease patients, was effective against coronavirus disease. Fish proposed that "those who are severely ill with this coronavirus should be receiving a daily dose of interferon".<ref name=":4" /> In April 2020 Fish investigated interferons as a treatment for coronavirus disease, and participated as an advisor to the COVID-19 Therapeutics Task Force convened by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada |date=2022-03-10 |title=COVID-19 Therapeutics Task Force |url=https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/canadian-life-science-industries/en/covid-19-therapeutics-task-force |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427230210/https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/canadian-life-science-industries/en/covid-19-therapeutics-task-force |archive-date=2023-04-27 |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=Government of Canada}}</ref>
== Awards and honours == * Elected Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology<ref>{{cite web |title=Dr. Eleanor Fish|url=https://www.trinity.utoronto.ca/directory/fish-eleanor/ |website=Trinity College, University of Toronto |access-date=2026-03-03}}</ref> * 2010 Vivian & Seymour Milstein Award<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100913006483/en/CORRECTING-REPLACING-%E2%80%98Seymour-Vivian-Milstein-Award-Excellence|title=CORRECTING and REPLACING 'Seymour and Vivian Milstein Award for Excellence in Interferon and Cytokine Research' to be Awarded Jointly to Eleanor Fish, Ph.D., and Sergei Kotenko, Ph.D., at the Annual Meeting of the ISICR|date=2010-09-14|website=www.businesswire.com|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.milstein-award.org/2010/06/eleanor-fish-ph-d/|title=Eleanor Fish, Ph.D.|date=2010-06-21|website=The Milstein Awards|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> * 2012 Canadian Society for Immunology Investigator Award<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.csi-sci.ca/Award_Winners.html|title=Award Recipients|last=|first=|date=|website=Canadian Society For Immunology|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321113459/http://www.csi-sci.ca/Award_Winners.html |archive-date=2016-03-21 |access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> *2013 Canada Research Chair<ref>{{Cite web|last=Government of Canada|first=Industry Canada|date=2012-11-29|title=Canada Research Chairs|url=https://www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/chairholders-titulaires/profile-eng.aspx?profileId=2319|access-date=2020-06-12|website=www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca}}</ref> * 2015 Canadian Society of Immunology Cinader Award<ref name=":5" /> * 2015 Elected an Associate Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences<ref name=":1" /> * 2017 Leadership in Advocacy Award, Research Canada<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rc-rc.ca/2017-leadership-advocacy-award/|title=2017 Leadership in Advocacy Award|website=Research Canada|language=en-CA|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> * Member of the Order of Canada (2021) <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gg.ca/en/activities/2021/governor-general-announces-135-new-appointments-order-canada|title=Governor General announces 135 new appointments to the Order of Canada|website=Governor General of Canada|date=20 December 2021|language=en-CA|access-date=2022-01-05}}</ref>
== Academic service == Fish is the Executive Director of Beyond Science Initiative, a nonprofit that supports science students from marginalised groups.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.beyondsciences.org/aboutus/|title=AboutUs|last=Markster|website=Beyond Sciences|language=en-CA|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> She spends one month of each year teaching at Moi University, a medical school in Kenya.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.immpressmagazine.com/immunology-goes-to-africa-eleanor-fishs-odyssey/|title=Immunology Goes to Africa – Eleanor Fish's Odyssey {{!}} IMMpress Magazine|website=www.immpressmagazine.com|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref> At Moi Fish runs programmes in immunology, with a focus on women and maternal health.<ref name=":2" /> She serves on the executive committee of the Canadian Organisation for Gender and Sex Research.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cogsresearch.ca/exec.html|title=Canadian Organization for Gender & Sex Research (COGS)|website=www.cogsresearch.ca|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref>
== Selected publications == *{{Cite journal|last1=Kong|first1=Young-Yun|last2=Feige|first2=Ulrich|last3=Sarosi|first3=Iidiko|last4=Bolon|first4=Brad|last5=Tafuri|first5=Anna|last6=Morony|first6=Sean|last7=Capparelli|first7=Casey|last8=Li|first8=Ji|last9=Elliott|first9=Robin|last10=McCabe|first10=Susan|last11=Wong|first11=Thomas|date=1999-12-16|title=Activated T cells regulate bone loss and joint destruction in adjuvant arthritis through osteoprotegerin ligand|journal=Nature|volume=402|issue=6759|pages=304–309|doi=10.1038/46303|pmid=10580503|bibcode=1999Natur.402..304K|s2cid=4411606|issn=0028-0836}}<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Kong|first1=Young-Yun|last2=Feige|first2=Ulrich|last3=Sarosi|first3=Iidiko|last4=Bolon|first4=Brad|last5=Tafuri|first5=Anna|last6=Morony|first6=Sean|last7=Capparelli|first7=Casey|last8=Li|first8=Ji|last9=Elliott|first9=Robin|last10=McCabe|first10=Susan|last11=Wong|first11=Thomas|date=1999-12-16|title=Activated T cells regulate bone loss and joint destruction in adjuvant arthritis through osteoprotegerin ligand|journal=Nature|volume=402|issue=6759|pages=304–309|doi=10.1038/46303|pmid=10580503|bibcode=1999Natur.402..304K|s2cid=4411606|issn=0028-0836}}</ref> *{{Cite journal|last=Fish|first=Eleanor N.|date=2008|title=The X-files in immunity: sex-based differences predispose immune responses|journal=Nature Reviews Immunology|volume=8|issue=9|pages=737–744|doi=10.1038/nri2394|pmid=18728636|pmc=7097214|issn=1474-1733}}<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Fish|first=Eleanor N.|date=2008|title=The X-files in immunity: sex-based differences predispose immune responses|journal=Nature Reviews Immunology|volume=8|issue=9|pages=737–744|doi=10.1038/nri2394|pmid=18728636|pmc=7097214|issn=1474-1733}}</ref> *{{Cite journal|last=Platanias|first=L|date=1999|title=Signaling pathways activated by interferons|journal=Experimental Hematology|volume=27|issue=11|pages=1583–1592|doi=10.1016/s0301-472x(99)00109-5|pmid=10560905|issn=0301-472X|doi-access=free}}<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Platanias|first=L|date=1999|title=Signaling pathways activated by interferons|journal=Experimental Hematology|volume=27|issue=11|pages=1583–1592|doi=10.1016/s0301-472x(99)00109-5|pmid=10560905|issn=0301-472X|doi-access=free}}</ref>
Fish serves on the editorial board of the ''BioMed Central Signals''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://signals.biomedcentral.com/about/editorial-board|title=Signals|website=Signals|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref>
== Personal life == Fish was married in 1975, when she moved to Toronto.<ref name=":6" /> She is an artist, painting figure paintings and landscapes using watercolour inks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eleanorfish.com/portfolio.html|title=Portfolio|website=Eleanor Fish|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Fish, Eleanor}} Category:Living people Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Alumni of the University of Manchester Category:Alumni of King's College London Category:Academic staff of the University of Toronto Category:Members of the Order of Canada Category:English emigrants to Canada Category:Scientists from London Category:Scientists from Toronto Category:People from North York Category:Associate fellows of the African Academy of Sciences <!--https://www.gg.ca/en/activities/2021/governor-general-announces-135-new-appointments-order-canada-->