Professor Owen Sansom, Director at the CRUK Scotland Institute and Professor at the University of Glasgow, has been elected to the EMBO Membership. This prestigious honor is awarded to 120 scientists from Europe and beyond, recognizing their research excellence and outstanding achievements in the life sciences.
Prof Sansom’s nomination focussed on his laboratory work to develop complex models of colorectal cancer, which has allowed for exciting insights into the initiation and progression of colorectal cancer. His team are currently using these models to find new therapeutic and preventative strategies.
Prof Sansom said:
“I am delighted to have been elected a member of this prestigious organisation. This is a testament to the collective efforts of my laboratory members over the years. I am incredibly grateful to them and to the many people who supported me throughout my career.”
EMBO Director Fiona Watt said:
“The new EMBO Members and Associate Members have made immense contributions to fundamental life science research, and, in many cases, their work has paved the way for innovations that have improved lives and livelihoods around the world. As EMBO marks its 60th anniversary, we celebrate the pivotal roles played by the EMBO Membership in strengthening international life science research and contributing to the EMBO Programmes and activities. I send my warmest congratulations to all those elected.”
To celebrate EMBO’s 60th anniversary, EMBO Council invited the EMBO Membership to elect 100 new EMBO Members and 20 EMBO Associate Members this year. The newly elected Members and Associate Members reside in 37 countries/territories. The new EMBO Members are based in 24 Member States of the EMBC, the intergovernmental organization that funds the main EMBO Programmes and activities. The 20 new Associate Members reside in 13 different countries/territories, including EMBO’s global cooperation partners.
The first EMBO Members were elected in 1964 – that initial group of 169 life scientists has now grown into a community of more than 2,100 EMBO Members and Associate Members. 92 Nobel laureates are amongst those who have previously been elected to the EMBO Membership.
EMBO Members guide the execution of the EMBO Programmes and activities, for example by evaluating funding applications, serving on EMBO Council and committees, and contributing to initiatives such as training, policy, outreach and mentorship. New members are nominated and elected by the existing EMBO Membership.
EMBO will formally welcome the new members at a meeting of the EMBO community between 29 October and 1 November 2024 in Heidelberg, Germany.