Daniel Hurdiss appointed EMBO Young Investigator
The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) has appointed Daniel Hurdiss and 27 other researchers as EMBO Young Investigators. They join an international network of more than 800 life scientists who are at the beginning of their independent careers.
Over the next four years, the group of researchers will actively participate in the EMBO Young Investigator Program. Their research projects cover a wide range of topics in the life sciences, including the gut microbiome of infants, the demographics of Native American populations, the neural blueprint of brain tumors, and the role of RNA polymerase II in transcription. The EMBO Young Investigator Programme offers flexible support that strengthens ongoing research activities in the laboratory, for example by facilitating international collaboration, training opportunities, or access to specialized equipment and expertise.
Hurdiss's research focuses on viral pathogens that are relevant to both human and animal health, including coronaviruses. His group aims to understand at the molecular level how these viruses enter our cells and how, once inside, they transform them into virus-producing ‘factories’. By combining structural biology, virology, and biochemical techniques, his team is unraveling fundamental infection mechanisms that may contribute to future antiviral strategies.
"I’m honoured to be selected as one of this year’s EMBO Young Investigators. This is an important recognition of the work we are doing, and I’m excited about the opportunities the programme will open up for my team"
The new EMBO Young Investigators benefit from a variety of networking opportunities for them and their lab members. They become part of a vibrant network of more than 800 current and former EMBO Young Investigators, Installation Grantees and Global Investigators. Further benefits include training and mentoring opportunities, as well as access to core facilities at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany. Young investigators also receive a financial award of 15,000 euros. They can apply for additional grants of up to 10,000 euros per year and gain support for networking activities, such as joint group meetings or travelling to conferences.
EMBO Director Fiona Watt: “EMBO is delighted to welcome the new young investigators. Their outstanding achievements demonstrate the excellence and ambition that will drive progress in the life sciences. We are pleased to support these young group leaders as they take the next steps in their careers, and we look forward to their discoveries and contributions to our community,”