Dame Bridget Ogilvie, who passed away at age 88, was a pivotal figure in the field of genetics and medical research. As the director of the Wellcome Trust from 1991 to 1998, she oversaw the creation of the Sanger Centre in Hinxton, near Cambridge, which significantly contributed to the Human Genome Project by providing a third of the total human sequence. Under her leadership, the Wellcome Trust's budget grew from £90 million to £200 million, allowing for substantial investments in long-term scientific projects. Ogilvie was also a champion for public engagement in science, chairing the UK’s Committee on the Public Understanding of Science and co-founding the charity Sense About Science. Born in Glen Innes, New South Wales, Ogilvie's early education and experiences on her father's sheep farm influenced her scientific career. She earned a PhD from Cambridge and later held various non-executive roles in organizations like Cancer Research UK and AstraZeneca. Throughout her life, she advocated for inclusive policies in science, recognizing the challenges women face in the field. Her legacy continues to inspire future generations of scientists.