Extremely exciting news! I’ve been awarded a Royal Society University Research Fellowship!! The Royal Society is the British national academy of science, and allegedly the oldest scientific academy in the world. It was established in 1660 with a charter from Charles II (hence Royal). Originally called the “the Royal Society of London for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge“, it was devoted to the “Promoting of Physico-Mathematical Experimental Learning”. Its earliest meetings were organized by Robert Hooke (of “Hooke’s Law” fame), and one of its earliest presidents was none other than Sir Isaac Newton himself.

My research fellowship is to carry out a programme entitled “Beyond equilibrium: Ultrafast solution-phase dynamics and enzyme catalysis”, building on several of the scientific problems I’ve been thinking about and working on of late. After two rounds of cuts, I had an interview in April. The setting, Royal Society HQ in London, is a nice piece of real estate, that’s for sure. In mid-May, I was offered the fellowship, with a start date of 1 October 2013, hosted by Bristol University! These fellowships are an amazing opportunity: they provide 5-10 years of funding, and a tremendous amount of intellectual freedom, so just my cup of tea!

Click here for a link to the University of Bristol press release.