New England Biolabs (NEB) has announced the recipients of its fourth Passion in Science Awards, which celebrate scientists who have made significant contributions beyond traditional research in areas such as the arts, humanitarian work, environmental conservation, and science mentorship.
Among the 12 global honorees are two Nigerians, Samuel Ogunshola and Adewunmi Akingbola, recognized for their exceptional work in promoting science and humanitarian causes.
The award ceremony will be held on October 9th and 10th, 2024, at NEB’s headquarters in Ipswich, MA. During the event, the winners will share their inspirational stories and participate in discussions with the NEB community.
“Our 2024 Passion in Science Awardees truly embody the values of passion, humility, and authenticity that NEB has championed for the last five decades,” said Salvatore Russello, Chief Executive Officer of NEB. “We are privileged to honor those who use science to make a difference in the world, far beyond the typical scope of scientific achievements.”
Full List of Passion in Science Awardees:
Science Mentorship and Advocacy Award:
Rogelio Hernandez Lopez (Stanford University, CA, USA): Co-founder of Clubes de Ciencia, which hosts hands-on STEM workshops for students across Latin America, engaging over 19,000 students in nine countries.
Anne Madden (The Microbe Institute, ME, USA): Founder of the Microbe Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing microbial research through collaborative art, education, and research projects.
Samuel Ogunshola (University of Manitoba, Canada): Founder of Shaping African Women in STEM (SWIS Africa), an initiative aimed at promoting and empowering women in STEM fields in Africa, with over 1,000 women participating in 10 training programs.
Alyssa Paparella (Howard Hughes Medical Institute, MD, USA): Launched Disabled in STEM, a mentorship network that has connected 380 individuals with disabilities working in STEM fields.
Don Spratt (Clark University, MA, USA): Founded the ClarkU STEM Outreach Program, which inspires underrepresented groups to pursue STEM careers through various outreach initiatives.
Environmental Stewardship Award:
Jim Chadwick (University of Oxford, UK): Led a grassroots initiative to raise awareness about energy usage in research labs and established a community garden to promote student mental health.
Martin Farley (UK Research and Innovation, UK): Founder of LEAF (Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework), a program that promotes sustainability by helping laboratories reduce their use of plastics, water, and energy.
Humanitarian Duty Award:
Adewunmi Akingbola (King’s College, Cambridge, UK): Founder of HealthDrive Nigeria, which provides free hepatitis B and C tests and subsidized vaccinations in underserved communities, having reached over 15,000 individuals and vaccinated 10,000.
Dylan Pillai (University of Calgary, Canada): Creator of the LAMPREG project, which has screened over 2,500 women for malaria during pregnancy using innovative LAMP technology to improve maternal health outcomes.
Arts and Creativity Award:
Ji Hyun (Sally) Kong (Brooklyn, NY, USA): Developed “Mitos – Handweaving My Ancestral DNA,” a project that translates mitochondrial DNA sequences into handwoven patterns, blending science and art.
Sam Siljee (Gillies McIndoe Research Institute, New Zealand): Created “The Sound of Science,” a project that explores mass spectrometry data through auditory experiences.
The Passion in Science Awards continue to highlight the remarkable ways scientists contribute to society, demonstrating how innovation can positively affect diverse areas beyond the lab.
