Celebrating and recognising the achievements of our Research Staff
14 Sep 2021
To celebrate and recognise the achievement of our research staff, the Research Staff Strategy Group is delighted to announce the winners of the 2021 Research Staff Excellence Awards
Nominations recognising researcher staff for their achievements, impact and successes were considered by Faculty panels and members of the Research Staff Strategy Group, chaired by Professor Melissa Westwood, Associate Vice President Research. This year’s winners are:
Research Staff of the Year
Dr Paul Atherton, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Dr Atherton, a Research Associate in the Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, is recognised for his significant contribution to the understanding of how cells communicate with their extracellular environment, evidenced by many publications in internationally leading journals, invitations to prestigious conferences. Dr Atherton has also secured research grant funding, as a co-researcher on a BBSRC, and is recognised for providing excellent support to PGRs and Masters students.
Dr Rob Bellamy, Faculty of Humanities
Dr Bellamy, Presidential Fellow in the School of Environment, Education and Development, has had a stellar year with seven major publications in journals of international standing in the field of global environmental change. He is also recognised for his role in leading the University’s contribution to the UK-wide, and UKRI funded, Greenhouse Gas Removal Directorate Hub.
Dr Ying Chen, Faculty of Science and Engineering
Dr Chen, Roll-Royce Research Fellow in the Department of Materials, has received recognition for his pioneering work on protective coatings including securing funding and support from industry partners. Dr Chen’s many impactful publications are among the most cited in this field and he is regularly invited as a discussant to conferences and industry workshops.
Best Outstanding Output
Dr Yingjuan Liu, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Dr Liu’s was recognised for his highly cited paper in the International Journal of Epidemiology, which highlights the changing epidemiology of congenital heart disease globally and will enable conclusions to be drawn about the allocation of healthcare resources, particularly in developing countries.
Dr Lei Nei, Faculty of Humanities
Whilst Research Associate at Alliance Manchester Business School, Dr Nei had several publications in journals of the highest international standing including as lead author a paper in the European Journal of Operational Research which develops understanding of the factors which impact on individual’s vaccination decision-making process.
Dr Qian Yang, Faculty of Science and Engineering
Dr Yang, Leverhulme Research Fellow in the Graphene Institute, has published two significant and impactful papers on capillary condensation providing first experimental proof of the century-old Kelvin equation and opening up possibilities to address materials science at its smallest scale.
Best Outstanding Contribution to Research Impact
Dr Katherine Rogers, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Through a broad range of activity, including translating, testing and validating research and practice tools in British Science Language, Dr Rogers has had a significant impact on clinical practice, health policy and practice guidelines in relation to Deaf signers’ mental health.
Dr Kate Scott, Faculty of Humanities
Dr Scott has shaped government strategy and policies on climate change and zero net carbon as evidenced by explicit reference to Dr Scott’s work on resource efficiency and materials substitution in the UK government’s Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy.
Dr Michael Winn, Dr Luis Bering, Dr Sarah Shepherd, Dr Imtiaz Khan, Faculty of Science and Engineering
The team of researchers in the School of Chemistry have developed an alternative and more sustainable approach for the synthesis of complex molecules including the production of pharmaceuticals and other valuable materials.
University-wide Award of Best Outstanding Contribution to the Research Environment
The Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Research Staff Reps have made a significant contribution to supporting the research staff community through a very challenging year, organising virtual events at all level, which played a crucial role in connecting researchers during COVID-19.
Our University values the work of our researchers and is delighted to share the details of their accomplishments. Their significant contribution to the research excellence of the Faculties and University is greatly appreciated.