First edition of the Agnes Ullman Prize, 2023 Canetti Prize, 2023 Institut Pasteur Young Scientist Prize and EMBO Young Investigator Program

Two Institut Pasteur scientists recognized for the first edition of the Agnes Ullmann Prize

In accordance with the wishes of Agnes Ullmann, the renowned Institut Pasteur scientist who passed away in 2019, an award has been set up in her name to recognize the work of young scientists in molecular biology or microbiology.

The aim of the Agnes Ullmann Prize aim is to encourage early career scientists. It is awarded to two scientists (one female and one male) for their outstanding contribution to research in life sciences at an Institut Pasteur laboratory. Each prize is worth €5,000.

This year, Marija Backovic, a scientist in the Structural Virology Unit, and Ludovic Sauguet, a scientist in the Architecture and Dynamics of Biological Macromolecules Unit, are the recipients of the very first edition of the prize.

Sylvain Brisse, winner of the 2023 Georges, Jacques and Elias Canetti Prize

Since it was introduced in 2006, the annual Georges, Jacques and Elias Canetti Prize has provided support for Institut Pasteur scientists carrying out research in the field of infectious diseases. The aim of the award is to recognize talent, encourage creation and reward the achievements of scientists.

The 2023 winner is Sylvain Brisse, Head of the Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens Unit, for his research on the evolution, epidemiological and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms in bacterial pathogens, such as bacterial pathogens, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Results of the 2023 Institut Pasteur Young Scientist Prize

In 2018, the Institut Pasteur introduced the Institut Pasteur Young Scientist Prize. The award, established to mark the Institut Pasteur's 130th anniversary, is presented each year to a PhD student and a postdoctoral fellow who were first authors of high-level research papers published during the year.

Claire Maudet, Jerzy Witwinowski and François Rousset are the 2023 winners for their contribution to papers accepted for publication/published in 2022:

Claire Maudet, a member of the Biology of Infection Unit led by Marc Lecuit, and Jerzy Witwinowski, a member of the Evolutionary Biology of the Microbial Cell Unit led by Simonetta Gribaldo, are joint winners in the postdoctoral category.

François Rousset, from the Synthetic Biology Unit led by David Bikard, is the winner in the PhD student category.

Aude Bernheim selected as a European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Young Investigator

The aim of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) is to promote excellence in biology by supporting talented researchers at all stages of their careers, stimulating dialog and encouraging the development of an outstanding scientific environment in the field of life sciences.

On December 5, EMBO published its list of the 26 scientists selected for the Young Investigators Award. They include Aude Bernheim, Head of the Molecular diversity of microbes.

These Young Investigators are chosen from among the best group leaders in Europe. Under the program, they receive financial and practical support to help them further develop their group. A key aspect of the program is networking: the Young Investigators are given access to a dynamic, wide-ranging network of 368 scientists, all current and former recipients of EMBO awards. They also benefit from travel support for conferences.

Starting in January 2024, the new EMBO Young Investigators will receive a wide range of financial and practical support. Their research topics include detailing the mechanisms underlying serious health conditions, exploring the evolution of multicellular life, and investigating how interactions amongst sea creatures impact carbon capture in the oceans.

Of the 26 researchers who will join the EMBO Young Investigator Programme, 12 are women (46%) and 14 are men (54%). They are based in eight Member States of the EMBC, the intergovernmental organization that funds the main EMBO Programmes and activities, along with India.

Find out more

For further details about the programme, including eligibility criteria and the application process