Our Chair John Iredale reflects on a very busy year of change and growth.
As Chair, I have the privilege of seeing the Lister from multiple angles—the ambition of our Fellows, the incredible support of their host institutions, the dedication of our committees, and the careful stewardship of a small and mighty staff team. This year, that vantage point came with a flourish of record‑breakers and a leadership transition.
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Lister Prize applications
We ask the early career biomedical research community for their best ideas—and they always respond. Behind each Lister Prize application lies a lab’s momentum and a person’s potential. My thanks to all members of the Scientific Committee and their rigorous process which helps us to review, longlist, shortlist and conduct in‑person interviews. You keep us focused on fairness and excellence. We lifted the lid on the work of the Scientific Committee in June with wonderful insights from Clare Isacke and Angus Lamond.
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Lister Prizes awarded
The decision to fund eight Lister Prize Fellows this year reflects exceptional quality across disciplines ranging from safeguarding mRNA therapeutics to reprogramming neurons. I’m really looking forward to touring the UK to officially present their Prize Awards this year; it is always so much better to meet Fellows where they work and experience first-hand their great connectivity and creativity with colleagues. The Prize’s flexible funding model, currently set at £300,000, remains central to enabling bold, high risk work with long horizons.
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Summer studentships
The studentship scheme is one of the most leveraged investments we make: it opens doors, builds confidence and knits new talent into our community. Many of these students then step up to present posters at our annual meeting—a record-breaking 34 this year, the poster session buzz in the cloisters was incredible—experiencing the kind of constructive, generous critique that defines the life of a scientist. I dearly hope the students are future Fellows just finding their feet.
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Annual meeting attendees
Our 40th annual gathering was the largest in recent memory, with a programme that spanned structural biology, immunology, synthetic biology and clinical translation. The two‑day recap captures both the science and the sense of belonging that drives it.
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New members of staff
We welcomed our new Director, Julie Goodley, and accountant Jo Morgan to the team. They’ve already added pace and clarity to our work. And of course we gave our thanks to Sally Burtles who has steered us so splendidly over the past six years. Not really a goodbye, though, as she will remain a lifetime member of the community. Despite this change, I’ve been so impressed by such a seamless transition: we adjust, adapt and stay nimble as the research environment evolves.
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promotion
It’s also right to mark the progress of colleagues who keep the wheels turning. Congratulations to Nicola King on her promotion to Head of Operations—recognition of steady, skilled stewardship across a busy cycle of prize selection, announcement and events.
… and a partridge in a pear tree!
I’ll end on the Lister note that delights me every year: we take the work seriously, but I’m always impressed by how much humour and fun emerges whenever our community meets. Fellows and former Fellows are all stellar scientists, but they are the first to deflect praise to their wider teams.
Thank you to the whole Lister family for your science, your service and your humour. Enjoy a peaceful break, and come back ready to ask the next big questions.
John
