The European Patent Office (EPO) has announced that Dame Carol Robinson, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Oxford, will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the European Inventor Award 2024 ceremony on July 9 in Malta. This prestigious accolade recognizes Professor Robinson’s pioneering contributions to mass spectrometry, which have significantly advanced drug discovery and personalized medicine.
Professor Steve Faulkner, Head of Oxford’s Department of Chemistry, praised Robinson, stating, “I am delighted to congratulate Carol on receiving this award. Her trailblazing example will continue to inspire students and young scientists here in Oxford and beyond. This award acknowledges a career full of achievements, and we look forward to many more.”
Breaking New Ground in Biochemistry
Professor Robinson has revolutionized the field of mass spectrometry, particularly through her development of the ‘native mass spectrometry’ method. This technique allows for the analysis of proteins in their natural state, providing detailed insights into their structures and interactions without altering them. Her work has enabled precise measurements and analyses of protein complexes involved in various diseases, facilitating the development of targeted medications.
Despite initial skepticism, Robinson’s innovative approach proved that protein interactions could be preserved and studied in the gaseous state. This breakthrough has paved the way for more effective treatments for diseases by enabling a deeper understanding of disease mechanisms.
Reflecting on her work, Professor Robinson said, “The future vision for this field is to contribute to much more tailored, personalized solutions. The depression example is a very good one because we really don’t have a clear idea of what’s wrong in many depression cases. That was what drove a whole program of research.”
Entrepreneurial Achievements
Beyond academia, Professor Robinson co-founded OMass Therapeutics in 2016, a company that uses her mass spectrometry innovations to develop novel drugs targeting membrane proteins and protein complexes implicated in diseases. Her entrepreneurial efforts are enhancing the probability of success against challenging disease targets, addressing significant unmet medical needs, and improving patient outcomes.
A Pillar for Gender Diversity in STEM
Professor Robinson’s career also highlights her role as a trailblazer for gender diversity in STEM. After an eight-year career break to raise her three children, she became the first female Professor of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge in 2001 and then at the University of Oxford in 2009. In 2021, she was appointed Director of the Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery at Oxford.
Robinson’s dedication to mentorship has inspired countless postgraduate students and early-career scientists. Her numerous accolades include being made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, a Fellow of the Royal Society, and a Foreign Associate of the National Academy of Sciences USA.
The EPO’s Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates Professor Dame Carol Robinson’s scientific accomplishments and her profound impact on the scientific community and society. The winners of the other categories, along with the Popular Prize winner chosen by public vote, will be announced during the livestreamed ceremony on July 9, 2024. Voting for the Popular Prize will remain open until the day of the ceremony.