Rising Star in Life Sciences Award winner announced

SelectScience is delighted to announce Dr. Claudia Maria A. Pinna, Research Fellow, Tissue Culture Section Lead, and Lecturer at the University of Birmingham's School of Medical Sciences, as the recipient of the prestigious 2024 Rising Star in Life Sciences Award. This award recognizes the exceptional achievements and innovation of upcoming scientists making significant contributions to their fields.

"I am honoured and thankful to have been chosen for the prestigious Scientists' Choice Award^® for Rising Star in Life Sciences," said Dr. Pinna. "Thank you for acknowledging my contributions to the field. I am also profoundly grateful to my family, mentors, colleagues, and students who have supported, encouraged, and pushed me to improve continuously. This award inspires me to continue pushing boundaries in science and striving to work hard to improve patient's quality of life."

Prof. Andrew Beggs, Principal Investigator at the University of Birmingham, who has closely worked with Dr. Pinna, also expressed his endorsement: "Maria's innovative research in developing 3D organoid models and establishing a comprehensive biobank exemplifies the core mission of this award. Her work in cancer research has the potential to transform personalized therapies and improve patient care on a global scale."

Pioneering 3D organoid models for precision cancer therapy

Dr. Pinna has developed 3D organoid models from both normal and tumor tissues, including colon, peritoneum, liver, lung, gastric, pancreas, oesophageal, and ovary, providing invaluable tools for precision medicine. Her cutting-edge work characterizes these models using multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF), next-generation sequencing (NGS), and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq).

With over sixty 3D patient-derived organoid models in her biobank, Dr. Pinna is at the forefront of research aimed at improving drug testing and the treatment of cancer patients. These models replicate healthy and tumor environments used to test new drugs in vitro, offering new insights into cancer biology and enabling more effective, patient-specific treatments.

Dr. Pinna is presenting at the upcoming Cancer Research Summit, delivering a talk on 'Screening of Immune Engager Compounds Using CRC Patient-Derived Organoids (or 'Mini-Organs') and Immune T Cell Subsets.'

Recognition of groundbreaking achievements in life sciences

Dr. Pinna's contributions continue to have a profound impact on cancer research and precision medicine, highlighting her leadership in advancing patient care and driving innovation in drug testing and therapy.

Nominated by peers and mentors across the scientific community and selected by an editorial panel, the Rising Star in Life Sciences Award shines a spotlight on upcoming scientists who exceed expectations, foster excellence, and demonstrate potential in their fields. This award is part of SelectScience's ongoing mission to celebrate scientific innovation and excellence across diverse disciplines, including Life Sciences, Drug Discovery, Clinical Diagnostics, and more.

For more information about the Rising Star in Science Award and other Scientists' Choice Awards, visit the Scientists' Choice Awards website.