The University of Cambridge is celebrating the election of ten of its scientists as Fellows of the Royal Society, a testament to the institution’s continued prominence in global scientific research. These individuals join a distinguished group that includes historical giants such as Stephen Hawking, Isaac Newton, and Charles Darwin. The Royal Society, the oldest national academy of sciences in continuous existence, recognises exceptional contributions to the advancement of science.
Royal Society President Adrian Smith highlighted the significance of the new fellows, stating their achievements represent “the very best of scientific endeavour, from basic discovery to research with real-world impact across health, technology and policy.”
The newly elected Fellows from Cambridge span a wide array of disciplines. Professor Edward Bullmore, a leading psychiatrist, has pioneered the use of brain imaging and graph theory to understand mental health conditions like schizophrenia and depression, revealing insights into the brain’s ‘wiring’. Professor Gábor Csányi, a specialist in computational chemistry, has revolutionised molecular modelling using machine learning, dramatically improving the efficiency of simulations.
Materials science is also well-represented, with Professor Judith Driscoll focusing on nanoscale design of materials for energy-efficient electronics. Professor Marie Edmonds, head of the Department of Earth Sciences, investigates the impact of volcanoes on our planet, while Professor Julian Hibberd is working to optimise photosynthesis to enhance crop yields.
The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology also sees strong representation. Dr Leo James, whose research into pathogen infection led to the founding of a biotechnology company targeting neurodegenerative diseases and Dr Gregory Jefferis from the Neurobiology division, studies the connection between behaviour and smell in fruit flies. Dr Marta Zlatic is focused on the link between neural structures and function, particularly in learning and decision-making.
Theoretical fields are also recognised with Professor Jason Miller’s work in probability and Professor Andrew Pitts, an emeritus professor focused on the foundations of programming language semantics. Completing the list are several other notable fellows, bringing pioneering work from a variety of disciplines. The Royal Society has also welcomed three alumni of the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology: John Briggs, Graham Hatfull and Baljit Khakh.
These elections underscore Cambridge University’s continued commitment to groundbreaking research and its role in shaping the future of scientific discovery.
