Each October, the LMB community convenes for a Lab Symposium; the ideal setting to learn about the diverse research topics being explored across the Divisions. The week culminates in the announcement of the recipients of the Max Perutz Student Prize, the Joan A. Steitz Postdoc Prize and the Eileen Southgate Staff Prize.
These three prizes, announced by LMB Director Jan Löwe, recognise outstanding accomplishments and are made possible by the Max Perutz Fund, a registered charity established in 1980 in honour of LMB co-founder Max Perutz.
Max Perutz Student Prize
Now in its 42nd year, the Max Perutz Student Prize is the oldest of the three prizes and is given to LMB PhD students who have conducted remarkable research. The 2026 recipients are Alexander Heatley and Olivia Smith.
Alexander Heatley, a student in Felix Randow’s group in the PNAC Division, discovered how the ubiquitin ligase RNF213 assembles ubiquitin coats on cytosol-invading bacteria. He revealed a feed-forward mechanism in which ubiquitin deposited by RNF213 recruits additional RNF213 molecules, creating a self-amplifying process. Alexander’s outstanding work establishes a new principle for the rapid and cooperative assembly of innate immune signalling platforms.
Olivia Smith, a student with Tanmay Bharat in the Structural Studies Division, is being recognised for her structural work on the Pseudomonas aeruginosa adhesin CdrA. CdrA facilitates biofilm formation together with the polysaccharide Psl and it is biofilms that makes opportunistic Pseudomonas infections difficult to treat. Olivia’s tenacity has revealed the key functional sites in CdrA, including sugar and nanobody binding regions and her work is being translated into putative treatment avenues already.
Joan A. Steitz Postdoc Prize
Established to recognise exceptional postdoctoral research at the LMB, the Joan A. Steitz Postdoc Prize receives additional support from Royalty Pharma through a donation to the Max Perutz Fund. This year, it has been awarded to Mattew Yip, a postdoc in Felix Randow’s group in the LMB’s PNAC Division.
Matthew Yip discovered a quality control mechanism that protects the brain from the accumulation of abnormal glycogen. Combining elegant biochemistry, structural biology and mouse genetics, Matthew revealed how the ubiquitin ligase RNF213 ubiquitylates aberrant glycogen to target it for degradation by autophagy. His truly groundbreaking work establishes non-protein ubiquitylation as a mechanism safeguarding organismal homeostasis.
Eileen Southgate Staff Prize
The Eileen Southgate Staff Prize is open to everyone at the LMB, bar PhD students, postdocs and Group Leaders. Introduced as part of the LMB’s pledge to the Technician Commitment, it is overseen by the LMB’s Technician Commitment Committee who shortlist nominations. The prize awards those who have gone beyond their expected duties to make truly impressive contributions to the LMB. The 2026 recipients are Tomás Pais de Azevedo, Sebastian Cachero, Lara Few and Kelly Hudson.
Tomás Pais de Azevedo is an integral member of the LMB’s Light Microscopy facility. Tomás set a new record for the number of nominations this year, reflecting the exceptional breadth and impact of his contributions to the LMB. Tomás provides infectious enthusiasm across a wide range of activities, from supporting Light Microscopy users, leading public engagement initiatives as well as contributing to LMB social events. Colleagues consistently praise Tomás for his positivity, kindness and readiness to go above and beyond.
Sebastian Cachero is recognised as a highly gifted Investigator Scientist in Greg Jefferis’s group in the Neurobiology Division. His work has put the molecular into connectomics by revealing a transcription factor code for the birth order of neurons. He is also a true team player, he is always willing to offer help, share his expertise and provide thoughtful advice, doing so with humility. Sebastian exemplifies the ethos of the Eileen Southgate Prize for his outstanding scientific achievements and the invaluable support he provides to others.
Lara Few, an Experimental Technician at the LMB’s Biological Services Group, is awarded for her outstanding contribution to animal welfare, husbandry innovation and the very successful management of a new mouse colony, of the African striped mouse. Lara dedicated significant time to researching the species and developing husbandry practices to meet its specific welfare and care requirements. Lara is highly regarded for her curiosity, initiative and willingness to explore new ideas.
Some colleagues make an extraordinary contribution behind the scenes, often without their impact being visible. Kelly Hudson, Deputy Head of HR, exemplifies this. Ahead of the implementation of a new integrated platform for managing key business operations, she identified opportunities for development and proactively escalated these as needed, ensuring they were addressed before they could affect LMB colleagues. Kelly has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication and a genuine commitment to helping others succeed.
Further references
Max Perutz Fund
Previous Max Perutz Student Prize Winners
Previous Joan A. Steitz Postdoc Prize Winners
Previous Eileen Southgate Staff Prize Winners
