OBE awarded to FEMS Vice-President, Prof Hilary Lappin-Scott

29-01-2018

Our Directors work with the interests of the wider microbiology community at heart, and their lifelong dedication to advancing microbiology has been a positive influence on what FEMS is today.

We are proud to announce that our Vice-President, Prof Hilary Lappin-Scott, was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2018 New Year’s Honours list for her services to microbiology and the advancement of women in science and engineering.

I am absolutely thrilled to receive an OBE for services to Microbiology and the advancement of women in STEM subjects. I have loved the subject of microbiology since I first learned of the microbial world as an undergraduate at Warwick University in the late ‘70s and feel privileged to have had a career as a research scientist in this area, working with wonderful, sparky people all over the world and building a research group. Over the last five years or so I have played a bigger role in advocating support for women in STEM, rather than focusing on my own research career. I am convinced that this is a strong way to bring about change, as great benefits can be realized when we all share the very best practices.

Hilary Lappin-Scott, FEMS Vice-President

Hilary is an eminent microbiologist who has dedicated much of her career to understanding biofilm communities and in advancing science for all. She is actively involved in the science community in various ways:

  • Advancing science FEMS Vice-President since 2016 and Senior Pro-Vice Chancellor of Swansea University, United Kingdom
  • Science Academies Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, the Royal Society of Biology and the European Academy of Microbiology (EAM)
  • Campaigner for women in science Leads the Athena Scientific Women’s Academic Network at Swansea University, Board member of the Equality Challenge Unit, advises Australian Universities and Research institutes on best practice on supporting women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and is advisor to the Canadian Science Minister
  • Awards Women into Science and Engineering (WISE) HERO award 2016, Womenspire ‘STEM Pioneer’ Award 2017

From all of us, we extend our congratulations to Hilary on her outstanding contribution to microbiology.

Discover more about Hilary Lappin-Scott’s scientific journey in her FEMS Microbiology Letters Spotlight interview. 

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