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果冻影院 Chemistry academic named Blavatnik Awards finalist
4 November 2021
Professor Matthew Powner (果冻影院 Chemistry) is one of nine UK recipients of the 2021 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in recognition of his work on one of the world鈥檚 greatest mysteries 鈥� the origin of life.
The awards, issued by the Blavatnik Family Foundation and the New York Academy of Sciences, are open to scientists aged 42 or younger. They aim to recognise research that is already transforming technology and our understanding of the world.
Professor Powner, one of three young scientists honoured in the Chemistry category, was recognised for developing a 鈥渟ystems chemistry鈥� approach to the origin of life 鈥� that is, studying properties that emerge in networks of molecules and cannot be attributed to individual molecules in isolation. This has led to a better picture of how chemical reactions could underpin the formation of life on the early Earth.
A jury of leading scientists across the UK selects a Laureate and two finalists in each of three categories - Life Sciences, Physical Sciences & Engineering, and Chemistry. Finalists receive a cash prize of $30,000 (拢22,500).
The Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists were first established in the United States in 2007 by the Blavatnik Family Foundation and are administered by the New York Academy of Sciences. The Foundation now funds awards in the US, UK and Israel, all of which support exceptional early career scientists.
鈥淭he UK has always been recognized and admired for its scientific excellence,鈥� said Sir Leonard Blavatnik,听head of the Blavatnik Family Foundation and member of the President鈥檚 Council of the New York Academy of Sciences. 鈥淓ach of this year鈥檚 Blavatnik Award honourees is a rising star in their respective fields and it is a great pleasure to give them the global recognition they so richly deserve.鈥�
The UK recipients of the 2021 Blavatnik Awards were honoured at a gala dinner and ceremony at Banqueting House in London on 25 October. The following day, the honourees presented their research with a series of short, interactive lectures at a free public symposium, 鈥淚nnovating for a Better Future: 9 Young Scientists Transforming our World鈥�, also at Banqueting House.
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- Professor Matthew Powner
Media contact
Mark Greaves
Email: m.greaves [at] ucl.ac.uk