SIgN scientist wins prestigious EMBO Young Investigator 2013 award

Dr Florent Ginhoux from the Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN) is the only scientist from Asia to win the prestigious award this year

Dr Florent Ginhoux, Principal Investigator at the Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), has been awarded the prestigious EMBO Young Investigator 2013 award. The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Young Investigator Programme (YIP) recognises young, promising researchers who are less than forty years of age and who have established their first laboratories in Europe and EMBO cooperation partner countries in the past four years.

Dr Ginhoux is one of only three scientists outside of Europe to receive the EMBO YIP award since its launch in year 2000. Of these three awardees, two are from Singapore and Dr Ginhoux is the second scientist in Singapore to be awarded. His excellence in the research won him the Best Paper Award at the 10th International Symposium on Dendritic Cells held in 2008. He also published several already well-cited papers in the prestigious Science and Immunity journals since he started his laboratory at SIgN in 2009. He was awarded the EMBO YIP as EMBO saw his accomplishments and potential to become a future life sciences leader.

Dr Ginhoux's current research focuses on understanding the origin and functions of dendritic cells (DCs), a specialised group of white blood cells which are responsible for triggering immune responses. His research forms the basis of a conceptual framework that can be translated into useful clinical applications since all immune responses against infectious agents are activated and regulated by DCs. Dr Ginhoux's study on DCs is highly significant in the design of clinical therapies, such as vaccines and immunotherapies for infections or auto-immune diseases.

Dr Ginhoux said, "This achievement would not have been possible without my dedicated team and the excellent scientific environment found in SIgN, as well as the research facilities in A*STAR. I'm truly honoured to be selected for the EMBO Young Investigator Programme and I would like to thank both A*STAR and my team for their support."

Prof Sir David Lane, A*STAR Chief Scientist and EMBO member said, "Only twelve per cent of the applicants were selected for the programme this year and we are pleased that Florent is one of them. Florent is a promising young scientist with great potential to be a scientific leader of the next generation. His passion in immunology has brought about important discoveries with potential clinical applications. We hope that this recognition will spur him on to make greater discoveries in his research."

Mr Lim Chuan Poh, A*STAR Chairman, said, "Florent is a fine example of the world class international talent that we are attracting to pursue their research careers in Singapore. A*STAR is very happy and proud that Florent's excellent work has been recognised by EMBO. A*STAR believes that his success will not only serve to inspire the younger scientists around him to similarly strive for excellence, but will also draw other promising international scientists to pursue their research careers in Singapore and with A*STAR. This is part of A*STAR's talent strategy of nurturing a strong Singaporean core to be complemented by a rich diversity of international scientists."

Dr Ginhoux will receive a financial award of 15,000 euros per year for his three years of membership. He will also receive extensive support from EMBO for networking opportunities.