Awards, Fellowships and Promotions 2014
2014 has been a successful year for the Directors and researchers of the IGMM: December 2014
2014 has been a successful year for the Directors and researchers within the MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine at the University of Edinburgh (IGMM)
Professor Nick Hastie, MRC Human Genetics Unit and IGMM Director, was awarded two honorary Doctorates this year – an Honorary Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Sheffield and an Honorary Doctorate in Science from the University of Dundee.
Nick Hastie is among the world leaders in human genetics and chromosome biology who has helped further our understanding of diseases.
Nick Hastie has taught us all so much, and will teach us much in the future. He has discovered patterns in biology of pivotal importance and given the world a vast and invaluable scientific legacy.
I was very honoured and moved by these Doctorates….not bad for someone who got 3 Cs at A Level.
Professor Margaret Frame, Science Director of the Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre at the IGMM, was presented with a Chancellor’s Award for Research by the University of Edinburgh Chancellor, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. Professor Frame was selected for her contribution to the University’s excellent research on the grounds of innovation, relevance, creativity and personal dedication.
Professor David Cameron, Clinical Director of the Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre at the IGMM, was appointed as the Scottish Cancer Research Champion, a new role created by the CSO to unite regional cancer activity across Scotland, and provide a single voice for driving forward Scottish cancer research.
Fellowships
Professor Wendy Bickmore has been elected as the next President of The Genetics Society - one of the oldest learned societies devoted to genetics in the world.
Professor Andrew Jackson was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) and a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
Dr Lesley Stark was appointed as a Fellow of the Society of Biology (FSB).
Dr Maria Christophorou has been awarded a Sir Henry Dale Fellowship. The Fellowship, awarded by the Royal Society and Wellcome Trust, recognises Maria as an outstanding postdoctoral scientist building an independent research career addressing an important biomedical question.
Dr Louise Bicknell was awarded a Rutherford Discovery Fellowship, awarded to rising-stars of research in New Zealand, and will be moving to home to New Zealand to join the University of Otago in 2015.
Dr Shipra Bhatia was awarded a five yearRSE/CRF Biomedical Personal Research Fellowship and a three year Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship.
Promotions
Dr Susan M Farrington was promoted to Reader.
Dr Julia Dorin was promoted to hold a personal chair of Professor of Genetics of Host Defence within the School of Molecular, Genetic and Population Health Sciences.
Awards
Dr Paul Brennan was awarded the Lancet Prize 2014 for his research in the Young Investigator competition from the Academy of Medical Sciences.
Dr Asier Unciti-Broceta had a research paper voted as the American Chemical Society (ACS) Editor’s Choice.
PhD student successes
Craig Fraser was awarded a Commendation in the 2014 Edinburgh BioQuarter Innovation Competition.
Girish Mali was awarded a Young Scientist Award at Tsukuba Global Science Week (TGSW) 2014.