The Fellowship aims to support outstanding scientists who are in the early stages of their research career and have the potential to become leaders in their fields.
The successful researchers are:
Dr Thomas Frederick Johnson, School of Biosciences
Harnessing AI to catalyse biodiversity recovery
With one million species worldwide facing extinction, current conservation efforts lack the predictive tools needed to pinpoint which wildlife populations are most vulnerable. The project will train advanced AI transformer models on billions of biodiversity records to create the first global model capable of predicting how species respond to pressures like climate change. This research will equip conservation groups, policymakers, and businesses with the evidence required to drive targeted, effective nature recovery worldwide.
Dr Elisabeth Kneale, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Invisible guardians: enhanced nuclear fuel imaging with a novel hybrid particle detection system
Accurately monitoring nuclear material is essential for global safety, clean energy, and non-proliferation. The project will develop a nuclear fuel monitoring system that combines two novel technologies for the first time, muon tomography, which uses cosmic rays to "X-ray" dense structures, and neutrino detection, which measures radioactive decay. By unifying these techniques into a single detection system, this research aims to deliver safe, continuous, high-precision imaging of reactor cores and storage casks worldwide.
Dr Kimberley Simpson, School of Biosciences
The future of savanna carbon storage
Savannas cover vast areas of the planet and store massive quantities of carbon, yet their vital role in tackling global climate change is frequently overlooked. This project will investigate how rising atmospheric CO2, prolonged droughts, and altering fire regimes are reshaping savanna carbon storage. The research will uncover whether common conservation practices such as fire suppression could counterintuitively reduce an ecosystem's ability to lock carbon safely underground, ensuring future land management decisions are guided by accurate science.