Parasitologist Presented with new Young Researcher Award

Dr Mattie Christine Pawlowic, based at the Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research (WCAIR) in Dundee’s School of Life Sciences, has been named the inaugural winner of the British Society of Parasitology’s President’s Medal. The medal will be awarded annually to an outstanding early career researcher who, as well as having already produced international-quality research, demonstrates the potential to become a world leader in parasitology.

The award recognises Dr Pawlowic’s research into Cryptosporidium, parasites that cause chronic diarrhoea, or cryptosporidiosis, estimated to kill 48,000 children under the age of five annually, also leading to 4.2 million disability adjusted life-years.

Shedding light on the fundamental biology of Cryptosporidium for the first time, her research raised the possibility of future new treatments. “Very few research societies recognise the contributions of early career researchers in such a visible way as the British Society for Parasitology’s new President’s Medal. This really is a positive step to support young researchers and to become the first recipient feels very special to me,” she said.

“I have always been a parasitologist, even in undergraduate days, so to receive such a prestigious award is a huge honour. I started working on Cryptosporidium during my time as a postdoctoral researcher and since coming to Dundee I have continued to expand the set of tools available to help us study this parasite.

“Being at Dundee and working alongside world-class experts in drug discovery furthers the chance of turning this basic science into real world applications. I’m really excited to collaborate with local drug discovery scientists and I think the awards panel also saw a lot of potential.”

She is to receive her medal during the annual meeting of the British Society of Parasitology in Manchester (15-17 April). Dr Pawlowic will also deliver the President’s Medal Lecture to an audience of some of the most esteemed figures in the field of parasitology at the meeting.