Tom Williams awarded British Society for Cell Biology Postdoctoral Researcher Medal 2023

This prestigious award is awarded based on scientific excellence, research independence, and community engagement and leadership.

Tom has been working to identify mechanisms of proteasome assembly when cells are stressed, publishing research identifying a role for actin cytoskeleton remodelling, and its effects on mRNA relocalisation last year. Alongside this, he has designed several outreach activities and games based around his research, which he has taken to numerous outreach activities in schools and the community. He has recently begun to release these resources as freely downloadable print and play games. He has been commended for this outreach work by the School of Life Sciences Brian Cox prize (2022) and the University of Dundee’s Stephen Fry award (2023).

Tom stated: “I’m humbled and grateful for this award and would like to thank those in the Rousseau group who have contributed to the work which impressed the BSCB committee. I’d also like to thank Adrien personally, as his outstanding mentorship has given me the space to develop the research in the direction. I’m most interested in as well as supporting me to pursue my outreach activities. I’m grateful to the SLS and PPU public engagement professionals, who have done a fantastic job in supporting me to develop these resources too.”

Adrien Rousseau said, “It is fantastic news that Tom has been awarded the British Society for Cell Biology (BSCB) postdoctoral researcher medal for 2023. Tom worked so hard to push the boundaries of our understanding of how proteasome homeostasis is regulated in cells, so it is richly deserved recognition that will strongly support his future career.”

Tom will be presented with the medal and deliver a talk at this year’s Dynamic Cell meeting, organised by the BSCB and Biochemical Society in Loughborough.