Dr. Mahima Swamy from the Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC-PPU) in the University of Dundee has been chosen to join the prestigious EMBO Young Investigator network, recognizing her as one of the rising stars in biology in Europe.
The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Young Investigator programme (YIP) supports the scientific endeavours of researchers who have become laboratory group leaders in the last 4 years. EMBO Young Investigators are selected by a team of EMBO Members for the high standard of their research and an excellent track record.
This year, Dr. Swamy joins 23 other researchers to become a part of the network of 135 current and 390 former members of the programme.
Dr. Swamy heads a research group that investigates the immune responses in the intestine. She was selected for her exciting research into how the immune system in the gut works to protect the body against infection. Sometimes however, the immune system starts attacking the gut lining in the absence of infection, leading to inflammatory bowel diseases. Research in the Swamy group aims to address how we can better harness the gut immune system to protect against harmful invasion, but also prevent it from damaging the gut.
In the words of Fiona Watt, Director of EMBO, the EMBO YIP programme supports young group leaders at a critical phase of their careers, providing opportunities to develop their laboratories, learn from one another, and make lifelong connections within a supportive network. The four-year EMBO Young Investigator programme offers a range of benefits, including financial support, networking and leadership and research integrity training, designed to help the group leaders build their reputation in the scientific community.
“I am really excited to be a part of this network- and meet all the dynamic young scientists doing cutting-edge research across Europe. I believe that being a part of this esteemed group will help our research immensely, and I am very grateful to my lab and my mentors for the support that got me this award.” Dr. Swamy said.
Dario Alessi, Director of MRC-PPU said, “It is marvellous news that Mahima has been awarded a prestigious EMBO YIP award. It is well deserved recognition and a huge boost for the vital research that Mahima is undertaking on deciphering the biological roles of the enigmatic Intraepithelial lymphocytes that patrol the intestinal epithelium. Mahima’s work is contributing to improved understanding, treatment and diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer.”