John Innes Foundation Prizes for Excellence in Scientific Research
and Excellence in Science Communication
15th July 2011
Four postgraduate research students from the John Innes Centre and The Sainsbury Laboratory have received awards from the John Innes Foundation for the excellence of their research and how well they communicate it.
Lucy Foulston’s research on identifying and characterising the genes needed by a rare soil bacterium to make a potent antibiotic resulted in papers in PNAS and the Journal of Bacteriology, where it featured on the front cover. The antibiotic, microbisporicin, is moving towards clinical trials and Lucy’s research will help approaches to increase yield and generate improved derivatives. “It is such an honour to be given this award. My time at JIC was extremely rewarding both scientifically and personally,” said Lucy. Her JIF Prize for Excellence in Scientific Research recognises the way her excellent scientific research with a clear strategic impact.
Benjamin Schwessinger also received a Prize for Scientific Excellence for his PhD studies in the Zipfel group in The Sainsbury Laboratory. He has made important discoveries in the molecular and genetic basis of the plant immune response to pathogen attack. In work published in PLoS Genetics and Plant Cell and other journals, he identified and characterised a new mutation in a key immunity regulator, BAK1. He established a crucial role for protein phosphorylation in immune signalling. “I am delighted and honoured to receive the JIF Excellence in Scientific Research Award,” said Benjamin.
Both Lucy and Ben completed their PhDs in 2010 and both are currently undertaking postdoctoral research in USA, respectively at Harvard Medical School and the University of California, Davis.
The John Innes Foundation have also awarded prizes to current students Liliana Cano and Alaa Aljabali for Excellence in Science Communication.
Liliana Cano in Sophien Kamoun’s group has been working on emerging epidemic strains of the potato blight pathogen Phytopthora infestans, co-authoring 12 papers on the subject. JIF have presented her with the award for Science Communication in recognition of her activities beyond this, in particular through numerous talks she has given at national and international science meetings. These have included prestigious conferences such as a Gordon Research Conference and an EMBO Conference, where senior researchers praised her knowledge, professionalism and enthusiasm and her ability to answer questions well.
Liliana commented: “It has been a great experience being a PhD student here, where I had the opportunity to develop my research career, to improve my communication skills and to interact with other scientists in the UK and around the world. I really enjoy the opportunity for sharing ideas and to evoke understanding and motivation in others about my research.”
Alaa Aljabali from David Evan’s group is working on synthesising potentially useful nanoparticles from virus-derived templates. Alaa has successfully communicated this topic to both other academics at international conferences, and also to the general public, appearing on TV and in newspapers. He has designed and presented public displays on Bionanoscience, and in 2011 he was selected to present his work at the House of Commons as part of a scheme organised by the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee. “This award is a great honour and privilege” said Alaa.
These prizes are awarded annually by the John Innes Foundation to students at JIC and TSL following nominations by their supervisors. Up to two prizes of £250 are awarded in each category. The awards will be presented on October 12th at the JIC/TSL Annual Science Meeting by chair of the Trustees of the John Innes Foundation, Mr Frank Oldfield.
More details on the JIF Prize winners [pdf]
About the John Innes Foundation:
The John Innes Foundation (JIF) is an independent charity formed in 1910 following a bequest from John Innes, a landowner in the City of London.
John Innes Foundation trustees play an active part in the management of the John Innes Centre (JIC) and have the right to appoint three members of its Governing Council. The trustees also provide direct support for JIC's research and training, principally through sponsorship of several graduate studentships each year, and by their support for educational programmes and the infrastructure of the site.
The trustees also support the study of the history of genetics and plant science; and the Foundation owns a very significant collection of archive material, the History of Genetics Library,and the "Special Collection" of rare botanical books.
