Professor Evi Soutoglou

A Sussex researcher has joined a community of more than 1,900 leading life scientists, having been elected as a member of EMBO (European Molecular Biology Organisation).

Professor Evi Soutoglou was one of 67 researchers worldwide to have been elected to its membership this year. Through this lifelong honour, she has been recognised for her outstanding achievements in the life sciences.

Professor Soutoglou, who is based in the University’s Genome Damage and Stability Centre, has research interests in DNA repair, genome organisation and chromatin.

She said: "I feel honoured and proud to be an EMBO member! I am happy that our work is recognised by the European Community and gives me the opportunity to thank my group for all their efforts and show that I feel and will always feel a European Union citizen."

EMBO is an organisation of leading researchers that promotes excellence in the life sciences in Europe and beyond. The goals of the organisation are to support talented researchers at all stages of their careers, stimulate the exchange of scientific information, and help build a research environment where scientists can achieve their best work.

Fiona Watt, EMBO Director, said: “The new EMBO Members and Associate Members are exceptional scientists, who carry out leading research across a variety of fields, ranging from cell biology and cancer to vaccine development and machine learning.

“I am delighted to welcome them to EMBO, and I know that they will enrich the life of the organisation immensely.”

Members provide guidance and support for EMBO activities, for example by evaluating funding applications, serving on EMBO Council and committees, or joining the editorial boards of EMBO Press journals. Through their involvement, members help to shape the direction of life sciences, foster the careers of young researchers, and strengthen the research communities in Europe and beyond.

New members are nominated and elected by the existing EMBO Membership. The annual process ensures a broad scope with the flexibility to expand into newly emerging fields in the life sciences.

EMBO will formally welcome the new members at the annual Members’ Meeting in Heidelberg between 26 and 28 October 2022. For more information visit the EMBO website.