Following a record year of nominations, the work and contribution of 17 eminent bioscientists, outstanding educators and exceptional early career researchers has been acknowledged in the annual Biochemical Society Awards.
Representing eight different countries, each recipient is recognised for excellence in their field as well as a strong commitment to build, support, and nurture future talent. Winners of the 2026 Awards represent a cross-section of the molecular biosciences ranging from plant immunity and glycoscience to neurodegenerative diseases and cell death.
Professor Steve Busby, Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Birmingham, and Chair of the Biochemical Society’s Awards Committee, says: “I want to congratulate each one of the 2026 Biochemical Society Award winners. I also want to thank everyone who has been involved in the process, and especially the nominators. You will see that there is a wide range of different awards, and this is to foster inclusion and diversity.
“Of course, some of the awards are targeted at senior scientists working in specific research areas, but others target early career researchers, support staff or educators. We are especially happy to be making four awards to early career researchers. During 2026, each of the awardees will be invited to present their work, often at a Biochemical Society conference, so please look out for these events.”
The winners are:
Biochemical Society Award – Significant Breakthrough or Achievement
Professor Cees Dekker, TU Delft
Biochemical Society Award – Sustained Excellence
Professor Christine Foyer, University of Birmingham
The Centenary Award
Professor Kevan Shokat, University of California, San Francisco
The Colworth Medal
Dr Benjamin Ryskeldi-Falcon, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
Early Career Research Award
Dr Georgia Atkin-Smith, WEHI
Dr Nicholas M. Riley, University of Washington
Dr Eduardo Fuentes-Lemus, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile
Dr Juan Carlos De La Concepción, Gregor Mendel Institute
The GlaxoSmithKline Award
Professor Doryen Bubeck, Imperial College London
Industry and Academic Collaboration Award
ACBI (Alessio Ciulli – Boehringer Ingelheim) PROTAC collaboration Team, University of Dundee
Inspiration and Resilience Award
Professor Shina Caroline Lynn Kamerlin, Georgia Tech and Lund University
International Award
Dr Lykke Sylow, University of Copenhagen
The Keilin Memorial Lecture
Professor Bill Rutherford, Imperial College London
The Morton Lecture
Dr Len Stephens, The Babraham Institute
Research Support Award
Dr Morag Martin, University of Dundee
Teaching Excellence Award – Early Career
Dr Rebecca Lewis, University of East Anglia
Teaching Excellence Award – Established Educator
Dr Sophie Rutschmann, Imperial College London
Read more at: Past Award Winners
Each year, the Biochemical Society presents a series of prestigious awards that recognise excellence and achievement in both specific and general fields of science. Nine of these awards are presented annually, with the remaining awarded either biennially or triennially. Candidates are nominated by their peers and the winners are agreed by a judging panel of respected scientists from across a range of different scientific backgrounds.
These winners will receive their prize and deliver an award or medal lecture in 2026. All of the awards and medal lectureships carry prize money and winners will be invited to submit an article to one of the Society’s journals. View our events calendar to find upcoming award lectures from our previously announced 2025 winners and stay connected for further updates on our 2026 cohort.
Nominations for the Biochemical Society’s 2027 Awards open in July 2025 and can be made by and for members and non-members alike.