Head of The Sainsbury Laboratory elected into EMBO

Professor Cyril Zipfel, the Head of The Sainsbury Laboratory, is today named as one of 62 scientists newly elected into the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO).

Professor Zipfel and fellow 2018 electees join a group that comprises 1800 of the best researchers in Europe and around the world.

“I am deeply honoured to be joining such an outstanding community of scientists,” he said

EMBO Director Maria Leptin said: “EMBO Members are leading scientists working across all of the life sciences. They also strengthen the research community in Europe and beyond through their international collaborations and connections.”

EMBO is an organization of leading researchers that promotes excellence in the life sciences.

The major goals of the organization are to support talented researchers at all stages of their careers, stimulate the exchange of scientific information, and help build a European research environment where scientists can achieve their best work.

Members are involved in execution of the organisation’s initiatives by evaluating applications for EMBO funding and by serving on its council, committees and editorial boards.

Professor Zipfel’s world-leading research investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying plant immunity and how this knowledge can be used to improve disease resistance in crops.

New EMBO members and Associate members will be formally welcomed at the EMBO members meeting at Heidelberg in October 2018.

The 2018 electees reside in 24 countries, 22 members are women and the average age is 50.7 years.

Earlier this month Professor Zipfel was announced as the fourth recipient of the Tsuneko & Reiji Okazaki Award, made by Nagoya University, Japan.

Professor Zipfel will start a new position in June 2018 as Chair of Molecular & Cellular Plant Physiology at the University of Zurich in Switzerland.

An online directory with all existing and new EMBO members is available at people.embo.org