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Two pioneering postgraduate researchers in Biomedical Sciences are the recipients of the prestigious Professor John Glover Memorial Award, a scheme designed to support PhD students in advancing their research and academic careers.
The Award supports PhD students working in Life Sciences, helping them to maximise the impact of their research by supporting them to complete work ready for publication.
The Award was established by the family of Professor John Glover, a former Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Chair of Biochemistry at the University of Liverpool. Professor Glover started his illustrious career in 1947, devoting 39 years to students at the University. Professor Glover was keen to support talented PhD students striving to transition to an academic career, leading the Glover family to set up this generous award in his memory.
The 2024-25 recipients are Konstantinos Prokopidis, whose research focuses on muscle wastage in patients with heart failure and Theano Kyriakou, whose research looks into lung fibrosis, a condition where the lungs become scarred and can result in breathing problems.
On behalf of the family, Dr Brian Glover said: "Our father was always very aware of the challenge that researchers face in getting their work published after they have submitted their PhD. Heart failure and lung fibrosis are devastating diseases, so I am proud that this award has the potential to have a real health impact. I know that he would also have been delighted to support the next step in the career of two outstanding researchers at the University of Liverpool, an institution which was very important to him."
On winning the award, Konstantinos said: "I would like to express my gratitude to the Professor John Glover family for this award. This support means a lot for my research journey, providing me with further opportunity to explore muscle wasting-related mechanisms that could lead to therapeutic interventions with meaningful impact in this population. Thank you."
Theano said: "The continuation of my work made possible by this award will not only enhance the translational relevance of my research, but also greatly strengthen my competitiveness for future postdoctoral positions as I embark in a new chapter of my career. I am deeply grateful to the donors for their belief in the value of my work, lung fibrosis is a devastating disease of an unknown cause, which currently has no cure."
Professor Peter McCormick, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Postgraduate Affairs and International Partnerships said: "Professor Glover was a champion of scientific excellence and nurturing the next generation of researchers. In the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, we are privileged to honour that legacy through a generous gift from the Glover family. This year we are using that gift to support Kostas and Theano—two exceptional scientists whose work on muscle wasting in heart failure and lung fibrosis holds real potential to transform lives. This award is not only a tribute to Professor Glover’s memory but also a meaningful investment in the future of biomedical discovery."