Molly Stevens, Professor of Biomedical Materials and Regenerative Medicine in the Department of Materials and the Department of Bioengineering, at Imperial College London, received FEBS EMBO Women in Science Award 2021.
The award is an acknowledgement for her innovative bioengineering approach that addresses problems in regenerative medicine and biosensing. Her research results are being translated into the development of point-of-care tests for tumours and viruses such as HIV and Ebola virus. These biosensors are designed in a way to allow rapid diagnoses anywhere in the world. Stevens works closely with biomaterials and researches how materials can be used in the body to improve health and minimise suffering.
About the Award:
The Women in Science Award recognises outstanding scientific achievements in the last five years of a female life scientist who researched in Europe.
"I am humbled by this award which is a fantastic recognition of all the work that my team of brilliant researchers does. I'm continually inspired by them and by the potential for our science to change lives," Prof. Molly Stevens Stevens said after receiving the award.
The President of Imperial College London, Alice Gast, says: "Prof Molly Stevens is an extraordinary scientist at the forefront of the field of biosensing and regenerative medicine. She uses a visionary cross-disciplinary approach rooted on a clear understanding of the biochemical interactions that define the bio-interfaces."
Robert Langer from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, explains: "Molly designs diagnostic technologies that are cost-effective, easy to interpret and that do not need specialist lab equipment. The tests can be combined with a smartphone app that collects and analyses results, connects with health centres and monitors patients, as validated for an Ebola serological test in Uganda with 91 survivors. This is an extremely powerful mobile health approach that will revolutionize the diagnostics field."
Professor Robert Langer was Stevens' postdoctoral advisor.
Who is Prof. Molly Stevens?
Stevens is also the Research Director for Biomedical Material Sciences at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering. She joined Imperial College in 2004 as a lecturer.
Stevens graduated from Bath University and was then awarded a PhD in biophysical investigations of specific biomolecular interactions and single biomolecule mechanics from the Laboratory of Biophysics and Surface Analysis at the University of Nottingham in 2000.
In 2006, Molly Stevens became the first woman to receive a Royal Pharmaceutical Society conference science medal in its 40-year history.
Such women in science are indeed inspiring role models for future generations of scientists.
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