We are delighted to announce that Professor Kei Sakamoto, a former Principal Investigator at the MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC PPU), has been elected as an International Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) in 2026.
Election to the RSE is among the highest honours in Scottish academia, recognising individuals of outstanding achievement who have made exceptional contributions to their field and who are committed to advancing knowledge for the benefit of society. Professor Sakamoto’s election as an International Fellow reflects both his scientific excellence and his continued global impact in biomedical research.
Professor Sakamoto is currently Vice Executive Director at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research at the University of Copenhagen. His research focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiometabolic health and disease, with particular emphasis on kinase-mediated signalling pathways and their roles in nutrient sensing and homeostasis. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of metabolic regulation at both the molecular and organismal levels and has helped shape therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways.
During his time at the MRC PPU, Professor Sakamoto made major contributions to the study of kinase signalling, particularly in relation to AMPK and associated pathways, and their roles in controlling glucose utilisation and other metabolic pathways. He also played an important role in strengthening international collaborations between the MRC PPU and external partners, many of which continue to thrive today. Kei maintains significant scientific and strategic interactions with numerous Scotland-based institutes and researchers.
On his election, Professor Sakamoto commented:
“I am deeply honoured to be elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This recognition reflects a journey shaped by inspiring mentors, wonderful colleagues, and the many talented students, researchers and administration staff I have had the privilege to work with over the years.”
We warmly congratulate Kei on this outstanding and well-deserved recognition. His election underscores the global reach and enduring impact of research from the MRC-PPU and reinforces the importance and long term impact that our Unit’s strong commitment to excellence in both fundamental and translational science has. Please click for further information:https://rse.org.uk/global-leaders-in-health-science-and-research-elected-as-rse-fellows-in-2026/