Full Breakdown
Three Women Honored as Laureates of the 2026 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists
2/25/2026, 1:42:56 PM
Recognition of Scientific Excellence
On Tuesday night, three women were awarded the prestigious 2026 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists, receiving £100,000 each, the largest unrestricted prize for science in the UK. The ceremony, held at London’s Banqueting House, celebrated the achievements of Maxie Roessler, Thi Hoang Duong (Kelly) Nguyen, and Paola Pinilla, who were recognized for their groundbreaking work in life sciences, chemical sciences, and physical sciences and engineering, respectively. This marks only the second occasion that all top prizes have been awarded to women since the awards' inception.
Official Statements & Responses
University of Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Deborah Prentice emphasized the importance of the winners, stating they provide "grounds for optimism about the future of this country," particularly as the UK economy increasingly relies on advancements in science and technology. Sir Leonard Blavatnik, founder of the Blavatnik Family Foundation, praised the laureates for their "creativity and ambition," while Professor Nicholas B. Dirks, president of the New York Academy of Sciences, celebrated the all-women cohort's success.
Broader Implications and Future Support
The Blavatnik Awards have distributed nearly £3.3 million since their UK launch in 2017, supporting high-risk, high-reward research. By the end of 2026, the global program is expected to have allocated over $20 million to more than 500 scientists and engineers worldwide. Sir Leonard Blavatnik stated, “Encouraging and supporting young scientists is essential if we are to successfully address society’s challenges.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “When I learned I was chosen to be the Blavatnik Awards in the UK laureate, I was very excited about being recognised for my work on planet formation, but very humble at the same time because I'm representing a large community that works very hard.” — Dr. Paola Pinilla, University College London
- “It's great being able to come to work and do your hobby everyday.” — Dr. Kelly Nguyen, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
- “The tools we've developed to spy on unpaired electrons, or radicals, are now available to researchers around the world and are helping them to make discoveries in their respective fields.” — Professor Maxie Roessler, Imperial College London
- “Encouraging and supporting young scientists is essential if we are to successfully address society’s challenges,” — Sir Leonard Blavatnik, Blavatnik Family Foundation
The 2026 Blavatnik Awards not only highlight the achievements of these women but also underscore the critical role of scientific innovation in addressing global challenges.
