Chemistry Award for Strathclyde Student

A University of Strathclyde PhD student has won a UK-wide award, recognising her potential to make a major contribution in the future in the world of chemistry. Hannah Lithgow was among four winners of the prestigious Centenary Award, made by science education charity the Salters’ Institute to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2018.

The awards recognise and support individuals who are starting out in their career and who have the potential to make an outstanding long-term contribution to the chemical and allied industries.

Now in her third year of a collaborative PhD programme run by Strathclyde and pharmaceutical firm GSK, Hannah’s research is in the area of protein degradation, with the aim of developing new treatments for disease. She received her award of £2,500 at a ceremony in London during January.

“It’s fabulous to receive this award and quite unexpected. Protein degradation is a new area of chemical biology that takes a novel approach to drug discovery and it is very exciting to be a part of this process,” Hannah said.

“Traditionally, disease treatment can include drugs which take a ‘blockade’ approach to a disease-causing target.

degradation is aimed at removing the problem completely. It tackles the disease-causing protein by utilising the body’s natural process to remove proteins. My research has mainly explored cancer but it also has possibilities for a whole range of diseases and could create new era of medicines.” Due to complete her PhD in 2019, Hannah then aims to seek a career in industry.

Professor William Kerr, University of Strathclyde and Collaborative PhD Programme Director, said: “This is an outstanding and well-deserved achievement for Hannah, who is a PhD student of the highest quality. Her contributions to the area of protein degradation are innovative and are key to the development of this area overall.

“The Strathclyde-GSK PhD partnership is a unique research endeavour that allows PhD students to work on projects aligned to real drug discovery and development priorities and we are extremely pleased to witness our students’ calibre being recognised at this level.”