Exeter evolutionary biologist receives European honour

Election to life-long membership of EMBO is a mark of recognition of research excellence and the outstanding achievements made by a life scientist.  A total of 66 EMBO Members and Associate Members have been awarded Nobel Prizes.

Professor Wedell is an evolutionary biologist interested in the evolutionary ecology of sex, in particular the role of selfish genetic elements in sexual selection and sexual conflict. Her research explores the potency of selfish genes in shaping patterns of gene expression affecting the reproductive biology and even the sex of their hosts, and its ramifications for the viability of populations.

EMBO has decided to strategically expand the scope of its membership on the occasion of its 50^th anniversary to honour the progress that has been made in the fields of neuroscience and ecology & evolution. This is why the 106 new members for 2014 include 50 scientists who have made exceptional contributions to these research areas.

“For the 50^th anniversary of EMBO we are extremely pleased to welcome significantly more researchers to our membership than in previous years,” EMBO Director Maria Leptin said. “In the past decades, many of the concepts, techniques and insights of molecular biology have been applied to fundamental questions in other disciplines of the life sciences. Molecular explanations are now emerging for the origins and functions of complex systems like the brain and the living world around us. We wanted to reflect more of these exciting developments in our membership.”

Leptin added: “Great leaps in scientific progress often arise when fundamental approaches like molecular biology are applied to previously unconsidered or emerging disciplines. Looking forward, we want to ensure that all communities of the life sciences benefit from this type of cross-pollination.”

Speaking about her election, Professor Wedell said: “I am both delighted and humbled by the recognition of my research and am thrilled to be considered a leading life scientist by EMBO. This award also highlights the world-class research that is carried out at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus and clearly shows we have come a long way since the opening of the campus almost 10 years ago.”

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nick Talbot said: “This is a tremendous personal honour for Nina Wedell, who is a scientist of exceptional talent and creativity. I am very proud that she has been elected to EMBO.  It is also a sign of the growing reputation of the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at our Penryn Campus as a global centre of excellence in behavioural ecology. To have achieved this recognition as a Centre that was only established in the last decade is truly remarkable, and testament to the drive and commitment of our scientists in Cornwall.”

Professor Wedell is a Royal Society Wolfson Research Award Holder, and her research is also funded by NERC and the Royal Society. She currently serves as the Director of Research for the College of Life & Environmental Sciences at the Cornwall Campus, and is the President of the International Society for Behavioural Ecology.