̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge - Office of Postdoctoral Affairs

Professor Chris Abell FRS, FMedSci (1957 – 2020)

sc604 — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 13:08:48 +0000

A biological chemist, he was a pioneer in the field of fragment-based drug discovery, a successful entrepreneur, a founding director of Cambridge Enterprise, and the ̽��ֱ��’s first Director of Postdoctoral Affairs.

A major focus of his highly interdisciplinary research in the Department of Chemistry was to understand the mechanisms of key enzymes and develop approaches to their inhibition, an approach that could lead to new treatments for diseases such as tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis and cancer.

̽��ֱ��advances he made in fragment-based drug discovery led him to co-found Astex, a world-leading company in this area, in 1999. Fragment-based approaches are now adopted throughout the pharmaceutical industry and in many academic laboratories.

He also made major contributions to the development of microfluidic microdroplets as a platform for experimental science, with applications in cell biology, chemistry and materials science. This interest resulted in the co-founding of Sphere Fluidics (2010) and Aqdot (2013).

He was an undergraduate and postgraduate student at St John’s College, Cambridge, before conducting postdoctoral research at Brown ̽��ֱ��, USA. He was named a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2012 and a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2016.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen J Toope said: “Chris’ death is a huge loss to the ̽��ֱ��, and to me personally. Our thoughts and our deepest sympathies are with his wife, Dr Katherine Abell, their son Daniel, and with Chris’ friends and colleagues at the Department of Chemistry, at the Research Operations and Research Strategy Offices, and at Christ’s College.”

Professor Jane Stapleton, Master of Christ’s College, said: “In Christ’s we are devastated by the shocking news of the death of Chris Abell, our warm, wise friend. He has long been held in the greatest esteem by the College to which he devoted so much of his remarkable energy.”

Dr James Keeler, Head of the Department of Chemistry, said: “Chris has for many years been a leading figure in the field of biological chemistry and has been responsible for significant advances in the field. He has also been conspicuously successful in commercialising aspects of his work, most notably as co-founder of Astex. Chris is remembered by us all as an outstanding scientist, a valued and loyal colleague, and a tireless champion for the Department and the ̽��ֱ��.”

A digital condolences book has been set up at: www.remembr.com/professor.chris.abell.

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� is saddened to announce that Professor Chris Abell, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, Professor of Biological Chemistry and Todd-Hamied Fellow of Christ’s College, has died suddenly at the age of 62.

Royal Society

Chris Abell

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Young leaders from UK and Latin America tackle future at Shaping Horizons

plc32 — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 12:18:09 +0000

They will explore how emerging technologies like those underpinning genomics, artificial intelligence, clean energy, and smart cities can be used and regulated to create a more equitable and sustainable global community as well as how to encourage sustainable leadership across disciplines and move beyond traditional diplomacy to address global challenges like climate change and social inequalities.

Shaping Horizons 2019 is a Summit and Action Programme rooted in science, policy, and innovation and will strengthen ties and build relationships between young Future Leaders and Senior Leaders from the UK and Latin America. ̽��ֱ��delegates have been selected from across academia, industry, and government.

Professor David Cardwell, FREng, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Strategy and Planning at the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge, welcomed delegates at the start of the Summit on behalf of the ̽��ֱ��.

“On every front, the ̽��ֱ�� has been and continues to be engaged with Latin America, including the pleasure of hosting this fantastic summit, Shaping Horizons, where the mission is to empower and promote youth, create networks and to drive change,” Cardwell said.

̽��ֱ��week will culminate with the Future Leaders pitching for prize money to support their own innovative social impact projects they have developed through mentorship and learning during the Summit.

Winners will be supported in further developing and launching their projects through the Action Programme which will follow on from the Summit.

Nigel Baker, OBE MVO, Head of the Latin America Department at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office told delegates that all their ideas would help shape the future.

“Shaping Horizons is absolutely driven by the sense of entrepreneurship, innovation, and ideas of the young people involved. It is going to be fascinating to see the proposals that are coming out,” Baker said.

“There are 24 different teams and there are going to be some spectacular proposals and ideas. Some will win prizes, some will not, but I suspect that all of those ideas are going to be applicable in the future.”

Shaping Horizons is a non-profit initiative organised at the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge with the support of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, and the Cambridge Hub of Global Shapers Community, which is an initiative of the World Economic Forum.

Shaping Horizons was founded by Dr Matias Acosta, a UK-Canada Fellow at the Centre for Science and Policy, and Theo Lundberg, a NanoDTC PhD Student in the Department of Physics.

“Shaping Horizons was founded to promote sustainability using global, cross-disciplinary cooperation as our driving force,” Acosta said.

“We are a team of 40 undergraduates and academics from across more than 20 departments from the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge bringing this initiative forward. Our goal is to build a shared and sustainable future between Latin America and the UK.

"We will be providing more than £30,000 in support for cooperative bilateral projects and also have designed a continuous mentorship programme to maximize the chance of success of each of the ideas.”

More than 100 future leaders from the UK and Latin America have gathered at the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge to discuss the future of work and education in an increasingly global digital era at this year’s Shaping Horizons summit.

Shaping Horizons was founded to promote sustainability using global, cross-disciplinary cooperation as our driving force.

Shaping Horizons founder Dr Matias Acosta

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Alumni benefits extended to thousands of former researchers

pbh25 — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 10:54:46 +0000

For the first time former postdoctoral researchers will receive a number of the benefits already offered to alumni at the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge.

Under the terms of the scheme, thought to be unique among UK universities, former postdocs will be offered a CAMCard, receive the monthly alumni e-newsletter and will eligible to join the ̽��ֱ��’s global network of alumni groups.

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� has made the move as part of its continuing drive to recognise in more tangible ways the status of postdocs in the ̽��ֱ�� and the contributions they make to ̽��ֱ�� life.

̽��ֱ��Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz said: “ ̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� and the Colleges recognise the enormous contribution postdoctoral researchers make through their research, which is central to the mission of the ̽��ֱ��, so it is right they be extended a similar range of benefits to those available to our alumni. This reflects our continued mission to ensure that the thousands of researchers who work at the ̽��ֱ�� each year are offered help before they arrive at Cambridge, during their working life here and after they leave.”

Postdocs come from all over the world (currently over 90 different nationalities) and, as a workforce of around 3,500, they represent the largest staff grouping in the ̽��ֱ��.

Under the new scheme which will be rolled out to recent leavers throughout the Summer, former postdocs will also receive regular communications from the ̽��ֱ�� Development and Alumni Relations office and be able to join trips with the alumni travel programme.

̽��ֱ��changes come after the launch of the Postdocs Centre by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPdA) in 2014.

Postdocs are responsible for a high proportion of the research carried out in the ̽��ֱ�� and contribute enormously to the reputation of the ̽��ֱ�� as a leading global research centre.

“As postdocs do not matriculate or graduate, traditional alumni benefits and established processes need to be completely reconsidered. Most universities have not tackled the issue, “ said Karina Prasad, Head of the OPdA, adding: “Many postdocs end up in positions of influence in academia, industry or public service making them invaluable ambassadors and advocates for the university.”

̽��ֱ��Vice-Chancellor and the Alumni Advisory Board felt that the ̽��ֱ�� should extend alumni benefits to former postdocs so this move is very significant and welcome.”

̽��ֱ��OPdA is now gathering data on former postdocs so that the benefits can be extended retrospectively.

Where an individual is both an alumnus or alumna and a former postdoc, they will continue to receive all benefits available to alumni. ̽��ֱ��launch of the benefits was marked at the ̽��ֱ�� yesterday (June 9).

A list of benefits available to former postdocs is available on the OPdA website: http://www.opda.cam.ac.uk.

New scheme will help recognise the enormous contribution postdoctoral researchers make through their research.

This reflects our continued mission to ensure that the thousands of researchers who work at the ̽��ֱ�� each year are offered help before they arrive at Cambridge, during their working life here and after they leave.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz

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