Three researchers from the University of Cambridge have been named among 77 early-career scientists awarded UKRI Future Leader Fellowships. The fellowships, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), provide up to seven years of support for recipients to pursue ambitious research and develop their careers as future leaders in research and innovation.
The Cambridge awardees are Dr Claudia Bonfio from the Department of Biochemistry, Dr Akshay Deshmukh from the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, and Dr Elizabeth Radford from the Department of Paediatrics.
Dr Bonfio’s research focuses on how life emerges from non-living matter. Her project will explore the evolutionary processes that led to the emergence of membrane proteins in living cells by studying interactions between primitive lipids and peptides.
Dr Deshmukh is returning to Cambridge after working at MIT. His fellowship project addresses the need for increased production of critical metals required for net zero targets by 2050. He aims to develop new processes for metal recovery from brines and recycling streams using experiments, spectroscopy, and mechanistic studies to design next-generation membranes for sustainable separation technologies.
Dr Radford, a paediatric neurologist, works on accelerating diagnosis and expanding treatment options for children with neurodevelopmental genetic conditions. Her fellowship will involve studying thousands of genetic changes in human cells grown in the lab to determine which ones damage proteins. This research is expected to help doctors interpret genetic tests more accurately and provide earlier diagnoses.
The Future Leaders Fellowships allow universities and businesses to attract talented early-career researchers, including international candidates. Thirteen projects out of those selected are led by businesses funded by Innovate UK. Fellows may be based at universities, businesses, charities, or independent research organisations depending on their project's needs.
Recipients also gain access to the FLF Development Network for leadership training, networking opportunities, mentoring, coaching, and additional funding for collaborative projects.
“UKRI’s Future Leaders Fellowships provide researchers and innovators with long-term support and training to embark on large and complex research programmes, to address key national and global challenges,” said Frances Burstow, Director of Talent and Skills at UKRI. “The programme supports the research and innovation leaders of the future to transcend disciplinary and sector boundaries, bridging the gap between academia and business. UKRI supports excellence across the entire breadth of its remit, supporting early-career researchers to lessen the distance from discovery to real world impact.”
“UKRI’s Future Leaders Fellowships offer long-term support to outstanding researchers, helping them turn bold ideas into innovations that improve lives and livelihoods in the UK and beyond,” said UKRI Chief Executive, Professor Sir Ian Chapman. “These fellowships continue to drive excellence and accelerate the journey from discovery to public benefit. I wish them every success.”