Congratulations to Dr Matt Johnson from our Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, who has been awarded the Biochemical Society’s Colworth Medal for his outstanding research in biochemistry.
The Biochemical Society’s awards recognise scientists who have made a big impact on the scientific community and society at large through their work. Donated in 1963 by Unilever Research Colworth Laboratory, the inaugural winner of the Colworth Medal was University of Sheffield alumnus Sir Hans Kornberg FRS.
Dr Johnson said: "I’d like to thank the Biochemical Society for awarding me this prestigious honour. It is incredibly humbling to be recognised alongside the many great scientists who have previously won the award, including Sir Hans Kornberg, a personal scientific hero of mine.
“I would also like to acknowledge the inspirational senior scientists who have mentored me and the hardworking students who have supported my work. Without their encouragement and dedication this achievement wouldn’t have been possible.”
The medal was awarded for Dr Johnson’s exceptional contributions to the field of photosynthesis. The discoveries made by Dr Johnson in this area are helping a global scientific effort to improve the efficiency of photosynthesis to increase crop yields. This is a necessity if we are to achieve a 50-70 per cent increase in production to feed a global population of nine billion by 2050.
He received the 55th Colworth Medal after delivering a keynote lecture at the Biochemical Society Dynamic Cell III meeting.
