EMBO European Molecular Biology Organization

Press release

HEIDELBERG, 19 OCTOBER 2009 – The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) today announced the election of 66 leading life scientists to its membership. Sixty of the recognized researchers are based in Europe and neighbouring countries, while six distinguished scientists from Australia, Japan and the US receive the honour of associate membership. In total, EMBO membership now comprises 1,420 of the world’s foremost molecular biologists.

EMBO elects new members annually on the basis of scientific excellence. The latest scientists to join the group come from 16 different countries and represent a broad cross-section of researchers from all fields of molecular biology, ranging from evolutionary to computational biology, neuroscience and plant science. This year, 15 female scientists are recognized for their contributions to life science research.

“The election once again puts a spotlight on the most outstanding representatives of the current generation of life scientists. We look forward to the fresh impulses this exceptional group will bring to our organization,” said EMBO Director Hermann Bujard. EMBO Members provide their scientific expertise to the various programmes coordinated by EMBO. They provide scientific input to the organization, participate in committees, may nominate new members, mentor young scientists and initiate new activities.

To better reflect the diversity of contemporary molecular biology in the EMBO membership, the election procedure has been significantly modified this year – for the first time since the foundation of EMBO in 1964. From this year on, the top 60 percent of the candidates nominated by the membership committee are elected automatically. All remaining candidates are judged, according to their specialties, by an election committee divided into five scientific sections. The new procedure allows the identification of the true leaders in a wide spectrum of fields, who may not generally be known to all voting members.

A list of all new EMBO Members and Associate Members is featured below.

NEW EMBO MEMBERS 2009