Geneticist and molecular hematologist Professor Šárka Pospíšilová, from the Centre for Molecular Biology and Gene Therapy at Brno University Hospital’s Internal Hematology and Oncology Clinic, Head of the Medical Genomics Research Group at CEITEC MU and Vice-Rector of Masaryk University, has become one of the newly elected members of the prestigious European Association of Molecular Biology (EMBO). Photo credit: FN Brno
Brno, July 28 (BD) – The European Molecular Biology Association (EMBO) has published the names of 67 newly elected members. Geneticist and molecular hematologist Šárka Pospíšilová has been elected as a new member of the prestigious association for leading researchers in molecular biology and related fields. EMBO members influence the direction of the biological sciences in Europe and beyond and promote excellence in this socially important scientific discipline.
“I am very happy about this news. EMBO is an organization that brings together the world’s best scientists, including Nobel Prize winners. For Masaryk University, this is yet another recognition of our excellent scientists, among whom Vice-Rector Pospíšilová has long been counted,” said MU Rector Martin Bareš. It is not possible to apply to this society. New members must be nominated, and then confirmed via a vote.
Pospíšilová is the author or co-author of more than 200 scientific publications, seven patents and several books. She is a member of various important national and international committees focused on genetic and hematological diseases. During her career she has received several scientific awards, including three awards from the Czech Ministry of Health for medical research, two awards from the League against Cancer, two awards from the J. E. Purkyně Czech Medical Society, and many others. She is known as the first lady of Czech genetic research, and is currently actively involved in organising the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Gregor Johann Mendel, the founder of modern genetics, and the Mendel Genetics Conference.
New EMBO members are elected annually in recognition of their contribution to scientific excellence. The admission of Šarka Pospíšilová is therefore a tribute to her research and achievements in the scientific community. The main aim of EMBO is to support talented researchers at all stages of their careers, to stimulate the exchange of scientific information, and to help build a European research environment where scientists can achieve the best possible results. New members bring additional expertise and experience to help EMBO further strengthen its initiatives.
“I am extremely pleased,” said Pospíšilová. “This award adds another dimension and meaning to my work. To find myself in such privileged company with the best scientists fills me with a sense of happiness and recognition. At the same time, it is also an additional commitment and a new driving force for further work. It is also an opportunity to thank all my colleagues from the CEITEC Centre for Molecular Medicine, the MU Faculty of Medicine, and Brno University Hospital. Science today is a team effort, without which it would be impossible to achieve top scientific results that are directly applicable in medicine.”
