The fifth edition of Hello Bio’s coveted ceremony will pay tribute to lab techs, managers, researchers and students who are “making a difference” in the sector
Nominations for the 2021 Lab Heroes Awards™ are officially open as the life science community prepares to celebrate the people making a real difference in the field.
The award ceremony – which recognises individuals in leadership, support and student roles – is hosted by manufacturer and supply company Hello Bio and is now in its fifth year.
One of the most popular events of its kind, the Lab Heroes Awards™ received nearly 500 nominations for 71 life scientists in 2020, with votes coming in from all over the world.
Awards are split into three categories and judged by the Hello Bio Scientific Advisory Board. This year, winners will take home $1,000 in Hello Bio vouchers and a $1,000 career development grant – as well as revelling in publicity for themselves and their lab.
The categories are as follows:
- Lab Supporter (eg. lab technicians, managers or administrators)
- Lab Leader (eg. supervisors, postdocs, research assistants)
- Lab Scholars (eg. graduates, PhD students, postgrads)
Steve Roome, Managing Director at Hello Bio, commented: “Our popular Lab Heroes Awards are back for 2021 – a chance for scientists to celebrate anyone in their lab that makes a difference to them.
“Lab technicians, PIs, PhD students, postdocs – anyone is eligible. They might be scientists who are amazing mentors, who support or inspire their colleagues, or maybe bring something special to the lab – humour, creativity or joy perhaps – making it a great place to work.”
Dr. Katarina Ilić, Research Associate at King’s College London and winner of the Lab Heroes Awards™ 2020 said: “Being recognised as an important part of someone else’s lab work, and being praised as a good colleague and mentor has been incredibly gratifying.
“Things like advising and tutoring are rarely acknowledged in scientific papers but are extremely important for shaping a scientist. I will forever be grateful to all the people on my path, those who have advised and mentored me, and those who came and asked questions. Science is a team sport, and it requires good relationships and strong collaborations.
“Nominating a colleague for Hello Bio’s Lab Hero Award is one of the great ways to show how grateful you are to those who are stepping before you and leading the way but are always ready to turn back and hold a hand for you.
“As a Lab Hero 2020 winner, I sincerely recommend that you show your heroes that you see what they do and appreciate it. It is a bigger reward than any amount of money.”
Entry for the 2021 Lab Heroes Awards™ opens on 8 November 2021.
All nominations must be made before midnight on 8 December 2021.
Winners will be announced the week commencing 13 December 2021.
To celebrate the heroes of their lab, scientists can visit the nomination page on the Hello Bio website and explain why their lab hero deserves to win.
More information about the Awards is available online.
