Professor of Cell Biology at St George’s University London, Dorothy Bennett has made an immense contribution to our understanding of cancer cell biology. She has made extensive contributions to pigmentary genetics, identifying many of the key genes and their functions. Her work on understanding the genetic basis of melanoma progression and susceptibility led Professor Bennett to demonstrate the important role of cell senescence in cancer progression. She maintains a high profile in a multitude of scientific support activities; founding the European Cell Senescence Association, establishing the Functional Genomics Cell Bank and being President of three societies.