The Blavatnik Family Foundation and the New York Academy of Sciences today announced the Laureates and Finalists of the 2020 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in the United Kingdom, the largest unrestricted cash prizes available to scientists under the age of 42.
This year’s winners are Professor Timothy Behrens (Life Sciences), Dr Kirsty Penkman (Chemistry) and Professor Claudia de Rham (Physical Sciences & Engineering), who will each receive US$100,000 (£75,000). In each of the three categories—Life Sciences, Physical Sciences & Engineering and Chemistry—a jury of leading scientists from across the UK also selected two Finalists, who will receive US$30,000 (£23,000) apiece.
The three Laureates and six Finalists are recognised for their innovative discoveries ranging from microbubble engineering and clean energy development to the discovery of new planets and advances in medicine, physics and fossil dating. Despite being still in the early stages of their careers, their research is already changing science and our understanding of the world.
In the field of Life Sciences, Professor Timothy Behrens, who works at both the University of Oxford and University College London, has developed innovative models for mapping the brain’s electrical signals that have significant implications for brain surgery, the treatment of mental disorders, and artificial intelligence.
Finalists include Professor Eleanor Stride of the University of Oxford, who is using radical microbubble technology to develop more effective cancer treatments, and Professor Ian Chapman who is at the forefront of atomic energy research, leading the UK’s efforts to create clean and efficient nuclear power as the CEO of the UK Atomic Energy Authority.
Ellis Rubinstein, President of the New York Academy of Sciences and Chair of the Awards’ Scientific Advisory Council noted, “With over 13 years’ experience independently administering the Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in the US, the UK, and Israel, our Academy has seen first-hand how they have changed the lives of young scientists. Many recipients have gone on to receive other prestigious accolades, and some have even mentored the next generation of Blavatnik Scholars. These awards have given these young scientists the confidence to take big risks in their research—and to reap the rewards that come with thinking big.”
Now in their third year, the 2020 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in the UK received 80 nominations from 41 academic and research institutions across the UK. The UK awards sit alongside their global counterparts, the Blavatnik National Awards in the United States and the Blavatnik Awards in Israel, all of which honour and support exceptional early-career scientists at lecturer level and above. To date, $8.89m (£6.65m) has been awarded to 291 young scientists in the US, Israel, and the UK. 60 per cent of recipients are immigrants to the country in which they were recognised, hailing from 47 countries on six continents.
The 2020 Blavatnik Awards in the UK Laureates and Finalists will be honoured at a black-tie gala dinner and ceremony at Banqueting House in London on 04 March 2020.
The following day, on 05 March 2020, the honourees will present their research with a series of short, interactive lectures at a public symposium. The event, Game Changers: 9 Young Scientists Transforming Our World, will be held at Banqueting House in London from 11am to 6pm, and includes a reception, during which attendees can meet the honourees. The event is free and open to the public. To attend the symposium, go to NYAS.org/youngscientists2020to register.
