Members in focus...

Image credits: Debbie Rowe (left), The Remarkablz (right)

 

Prof Steven Spoel, FRSE

Principal Investigator & Director, Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences

 

Steven Spoel is a Professor of Cell Signalling and Proteostasis at the University of Edinburgh and Director of the Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences. His research aims to improve plant health in an ever-changing environment. This is vital for the sustainable future of agriculture and for establishing food security for a growing global population. His current focus is to understand how dynamic changes in the epiproteome, representing the chemical modifications that control activities of cellular proteins and enzymes, enables plants to launch effective immune responses.

Steven is passionate about linking frontier science with industrial research and innovation. In his scientific advisory and consultancy roles he aims to provide strategic solutions and establish inclusive environments that promote innovative thinking to tackle challenges across the plant science and Agri-Tech sectors.

Qualifications
05/2008 Ph.D., Duke University, USA.
05/2002 Master of Science (M.Sc.), Utrecht University, Netherlands.

Career Summary

03/2020 – current  Professor of Cell Signalling and Proteostasis (University of Edinburgh)

08/2018 – current  Head of Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences (University of Edinburgh)

03/2015 – 07/2020 Reader / Associate Prof. in Plant Sciences (University of Edinburgh)

10/2010 – 09/2018  Royal Society University Research Fellow (University of Edinburgh)

10/2008 – 10/2010 EMBO Long-Term Fellow & Netherlands Science Foundation Rubicon Research Fellow (University of Edinburgh)

05/2008 – 10/2008   Post-doctoral Research Associate (Duke University, USA)

08/2002 – 05/2008   Ph.D. Developmental, Cell and Molecular Biology (Duke University, USA)

08/1997 – 05/2002   Master of Science (MSc) (Utrecht University, Netherlands)

Leadership roles
* BBSRC Council (2022-current)
* Templeton Foundation Advisory Board (2022-current)
* STEPS Advisory Board (2023-current)
* GATSBY Plant Science Advisory Board (2020-current)
* Chair of GARNet Advisory Committee (2017-2020)
* GARNet Advisory Committee (2016-current)
* Graduate School Committee, School of Biological Sciences (2015-2018)
* Research Committee, School of Biological Sciences (2015-2018)

Major prizes, awards and fellowships
* Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (2023)
* Elected to Duke Few-Glasson Alumni Society (2022)
* ERC Consolidator Grant (2021-2026)
* ERC Starting Grant (2016-2021)
* BBSRC New Investigator Award (2014)
* Early Excellence in Science Award (EESA) from Bayer Foundation (2013)
* Royal Society University Research Fellowship (2010-2018)
* New Phytologist Tansley Medal for Excellence in Plant Science (2009)
* European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Long-Term Fellowship (2008)
* Netherlands Science Foundation Rubicon Fellowship (2008)
* Harold Sanford Perry Prize for best PhD dissertation (Duke University, USA) (2008)

 

Orchid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4340-7591

See Steven's publications...