Recognising impressive contribution and transformative impact across the molecular biosciences, we are proud to recognise fifteen eminent bioscientists, outstanding educators and exceptional early career researchers in the annual Biochemical Society Awards. Alongside exceptional dedication to the advancement of their field, these Awards honour individuals who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to nurturing talent, fostering inclusivity, and advocating for scientific progress. Winners of the 2027 Awards represent a cross-section of the molecular biosciences ranging from machine biology and cytoskeletal remodeling to neurodegeneration and innovative therapeutics.

Professor Steve Busby, Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Birmingham, and Chair of the Biochemical Society’s Awards Committee, says:

“My personal congratulations to each one of the 2027 Biochemical Society Award winners. Each year, the Awards Committee are presented with an exceptional pool of candidates, and I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone involved in the nominations and selection process, especially those who took the time to nominate. The breadth of award categories continues to reflect the diversity and excellence of work across our community, spanning all career stages. It is particularly encouraging to see continued recognition of professional educators, whose innovative teaching methods continue to inspire the next generation of bioscientists. Throughout 2027, awardees will have the opportunity to share their work at a Biochemical Society meeting or webinar, and I encourage everyone to look out for these events.”

Dr Ana Costa-Pereira, the recipient of the Established Educator Teaching Excellence Award, adds:

"I am incredibly honoured to receive the Established Educator Teaching Excellence Award from the Biochemical Society. This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects both my passion for scientific research and my commitment to educating the scientists and science professionals of the future. It is also deeply personal: as an undergraduate STEM student, the Biochemical Society was the very first scientific society I joined. Its publications played a formative role in my education, and I was an enthusiastic reader from the start. To be recognised by the Society now feels profoundly special.”

The full list of recipients of the Biochemical Society’s 2027 Awards are:

• Biochemical Society Award – Significant Breakthrough or Achievement

Professor César de la Fuente, University of Pennsylvania, USA

• Biochemical Society Award – Sustained Excellence

Professor Elton Zeqiraj, University of Leeds, UK

• The Centenary Award

Professor Matthew Freeman, University of Oxford, UK

• The Colworth Medal

Dr Tom Deegan, University of Edinburgh, UK

• Early Career Research Award

Dr Helen Foster, University of Leeds, UK

Dr Laura Lorenzo-Orts, Institute of Molecular Biology, Germany

Dr Mauricio P. Contreras, University of Tübingen, Germany

• Industry and Academic Collaboration Award

Professor Asier Unciti-Broceta, University of Edinburgh, UK

• Inspiration and Resilience Award

Dr Mootaz Salman, University of Oxford, UK

• International Award

Professor Arun Kumar Shukla, Indian Institute of Technology, India 

• The Sir Philip Randle Lecture

Professor Daniel Tennant, University of Birmingham, UK

• Research Support Award

Helen Elwood and Paul Knobbs, Aston University, UK

• Teaching Excellence Award – Early Career

Dr Stefano Sandrone, Imperial College London, UK

• Teaching Excellence Award – Established Educator

Dr Ana Costa-Pereira, Imperial College London, UK

You can read more about the recipients here.

Each year, the Biochemical Society presents a series of prestigious awards that recognise excellence and achievement in both specific and general fields of science. Nine of these awards are presented annually, with the remaining awarded either biennially or triennially. Candidates are nominated by their peers and the winners are agreed by a judging panel of respected scientists from across a range of different scientific backgrounds.

These winners will receive their prize and deliver an award or medal lecture in 2027. All the awards and medal lectureships carry a range of career enhancing opportunities and winners will be invited to submit an article to one of the Society’s journals. View our events calendar to find upcoming award lectures from our previously announced 2026 winners, discover our exclusive Awards collection of papers and reviews published in our Journals, and stay connected for further updates on our 2027 cohort.

Nominations for the Biochemical Society’s 2028 Awards open in July 2026 and can be made by and for members and non-members alike. Join our mailing list to be the first to hear when nominations reopen.