TSL Alumnus wins Biochemical Society Award
Mauricio Contreras has been recognised as an exceptional Early Career Researcher by the Biochemical Society. Currently based at the University of Tübingen, Germany, Mauricio previously spent several years at The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL), where he did his PhD and later advanced to the role of postdoctoral researcher.
Each year, the Biochemical Society presents a series of prestigious awards that recognise excellence and achievement in both specific and general fields of science.
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.
“I am deeply honoured to receive this award from the Biochemical Society and to have my name listed alongside so many scientists that I look up to and admire. Importantly, the achievements this award recognises would not have been possible without the support of many inspiring mentors, collaborators and friends, to whom I am deeply grateful. In particular, I would like to thank my supervisor Sophien Kamoun for his guidance and support, and all the members of the Kamoun lab and TSL that I had the privilege of working with.”
- Mauricio Contreras
Mauricio joined TSL as a predoctoral intern in the Kamoun group in 2018, subsequently doing his PhD and postdoctoral research in the same group. An active and enthusiastic member of TSL, Mauricio moved to the University of Tübingen in 2025 to start his own independent research group.
We are delighted to celebrate Mauricio's well-deserved recognition in winning the 2027 Early Career Research Award and wish him all the best for his new research group in Tübingen.
Sophien Kamoun says: "Mauricio’s overall performance is nothing short of exceptional. He is a problem solver who approaches challenges with a fearless yet open mindset. He is also deeply committed to open science and has already helped reshape academic culture around publishing."
Winners of the Biochemical Society Awards will receive their prize and deliver an award or medal lecture in 2027. All the awards and medal lectureships carry a range of career enhancing opportunities and winners will be invited to submit an article to one of the Society’s journals.
View the Biochemical Society's events calendar to find upcoming award lectures.
About the Biochemical Society
Founded in 1911, the Biochemical Society exists to advance molecular bioscience, promoting its importance as an academic discipline, highlighting its role in positively effecting societal challenges, and facilitating the sharing of expertise. Offering an extensive programme of scientific meetings and training events, grants and awards, educational resources, policy work and public engagement, the Society provides support for researchers and scientists across all career stages. It also publishes journals, sharing world-leading research and reviews from across the molecular biosciences.
Visit biochemistry.org to find out more.
