IIT Mandi faculty among eight group leaders to join the EMBO Global Investigator Network
Indian Institute of Technology Mandi faculty Dr. Baskar Bakthavachalu has been selected as a new member to join the EMBO Global Investigator Network. Excellence in Life Sciences (EMBO) welcomes eight new members to the EMBO Global Investigator Network.
From January 2023, the young group leaders, who have set up laboratories in Chile, India, Singapore and Taiwan, will receive financial support and access to a range of training and networking activities.
The EMBO Global Investigator Award is a prestigious recognition for young group leaders working in life sciences. Dr. Baskar Bakthavachalu is a faculty at the School of Biosciences and Bioengineering at IIT Mandi. His group is interested in understanding the cellular mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases. The group is specifically interested in how genetic mutations in RNA-binding proteins cause the accumulation of toxic protein inclusions in the brain that leads to neuronal death seen in several neurodegenerative diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His lab uses Drosophila and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) as models to study these mechanisms and potentially identify drug targets to prevent or delay neurodegeneration.
While speaking on the award from EMBO, Dr. Baskar Bakthavachalu, IIT Mandi, said, “This award is a great recognition of our work. Being part of the EMBO Global Investigator Network opens up many networking opportunities, especially for my students, who will have the chance to engage with scientists from across the world.”
Over a period of four years, the new global investigators will receive funding to support them in building and expanding their network and research portfolios. Funds can be used for visits to other institutions to build collaborations within and beyond the region, to explore new methods and techniques, or to perform experiments. Financial support is also available for attending or organizing scientific meetings, and for receiving EMBO leadership and management training. The aim of this programme is not only to support collaborations with European scientists but also to foster local exchanges and thus help foster EMBO communities outside Europe.
“We congratulate the newly selected members on becoming EMBO Global Investigators and we are confident that they will get a lot out of the programme and will follow their progress with great interest”, said Fiona Watt, Director, EMBO.
The new EMBO Global Investigators join a growing network of over 700 current and former EMBO Global Investigators, Installation Grantees and Young Investigators.
To be eligible to join the EMBO Global Investigator Network, applicants must have an excellent scientific track record and have been leading their own research group for between one and six years. Applicants must also carry out their research in an EMBC Associate Member State (currently India and Singapore) or in a country or territory covered by a co-operation agreement with EMBC (currently Chile and Taiwan).
The network was launched in 2019, and this year’s group of successful applicants is the fourth cohort of global investigators. With a total of 43 applications, the success rate for 2022 was 19%. The next application deadline is 1 June 2023.
To know more information, including eligibility criteria and details of the application process, please click on the given link – Fellowships, grants and career support – Global Investigator Network – EMBO
