John Innes Foundation Prize for Excellence in Scientific Research

2011

Benjamin Schwessinger was one of four postgraduate research students to receive the 2011 John Innes Foundation Prize for Excellence in Scientific Research and Excellence in Science Communication.

Benjamin Schwessinger also received a Prize for Scientific Excellence for his PhD studies in the Zipfel group in The Sainsbury Laboratory. He has made important discoveries in the molecular and genetic basis of the plant immune response to pathogen attack. In work published in PLoS Genetics and Plant Cell and other journals, he identified and characterised a new mutation in a key immunity regulator, BAK1. He established a crucial role for protein phosphorylation in immune signalling. “I am delighted and honoured to receive the JIF Excellence in Scientific Research Award,” said Benjamin.

Ben completed his PhD in 2010 and is undertaking postdoctoral research in USA, at the University of California, Davis.