Biochemist鈥檚 fellowship will boost biofuels research
A biochemist from the University of 69传媒will use a prestigious fellowship to explore new ways of using enzymes to breakdown waste materials for use as biofuels.
Dr Gillian Stephens, a senior lecturer in School of Chemical Engineering & Analytical Science has been awarded a Research Development Fellowship by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).
The fellowship is one of 16 announced and up to 拢1.7 Million has been awarded to each recipient from across the bioscience field, who range from some of the UK's most promising early career researchers through to internationally renowned scientists.
Speaking about the newly awarded Fellowships, the Minister of State for Science and Innovation, Lord Drayson, said: 鈥淭he UK is already a world leader in biosciences research. These fellowships from BBSRC will help us maintain our lead and give some of our most outstanding bioscientists an extra boost.
"It is vital that we nurture scientists throughout their careers, as they will be essential to helping us tackle the major challenges we face."
The Fellowships, lasting from three to five years, allow researchers to concentrate exclusively on conducting world-class research to tackle serious scientific questions.
The 2009 BBSRC Fellows will be tackling bioscience issues including increasing crop yields, accelerated therapeutic drug development and better understanding of the natural world.
Notes for editors
For more information please contact Alex Waddington, Media Relations Officer, 69传媒, Tel 0161 275 8387 or Tracey Jewitt, Tel: 01793 414694, tracey.jewitt@bbsrc.ac.uk.
About BBSRC
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is the UK funding agency for research in the life sciences. Sponsored by Government, BBSRC annually invests around 拢450 million in a wide range of research that makes a significant contribution to the quality of life for UK citizens and supports a number of important industrial stakeholders including the agriculture, food, chemical, healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. BBSRC carries out its mission by funding internationally competitive research, providing training in the biosciences, fostering opportunities for knowledge transfer and innovation and promoting interaction with the public and other stakeholders on issues of scientific interest in universities, centres and institutes. For more information see: