Sonja, who was John Rouse's first PhD student, has been awarded a prestigious Ernst Schering Fellowship to carry out postdoctoral research in the laboratory of Prof. Steve Jackson, University of Cambridge UK on DNA damage signalling responses. These awards are given to 'support outstanding young scientists in the field of biological, medical and chemical basic research'. Sonja defended her thesis in December 2006 and started in Cambridge early 2007. She follows closely in John's footsteps as he also carried his PhD studies in the MRC PPU, and went to Steve Jackson's lab for post-doctoral training. Good luck Sonja!