Professor Eleftheria Zeggini honoured as Young Scientist by World Economic Forum

Professor Eleftheria Zeggini, Group Leader in the Human Genetics programme, has been recognised by the World Economic Forum for her contributions to science

Professor Eleftheria Zeggini is one of 55 extraordinary young scientists from 18 countries worldwide to be recognised by the World Economic Forum for their work towards advancing the frontiers of science, engineering and technology. Ele was selected on the basis of the outstanding quality of her research into complex human diseases, how her research contributes to improving human health, and her ability to explain her work simply and effectively to the broader public.

“We are proud to have supported Ele since the start of her independent research career with the award of a Research Career Development Fellowship and we are delighted that she has gone from strength to strength since then. The recognition by the World Economic Forum reflects her talent, energy and passion to improve health and also to increase diversity and inclusion in science.”

Dr Candy Hassall Head of Researcher Affairs at Wellcome who nominated Professor Zeggini for the award

“I am delighted to be recognised as a Young Scientist and look forward to engaging with the World Economic Forum community.”

Professor Eleftheria Zeggini Group Leader at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute

The Young Scientists community brings together the most advanced young scientific minds in the world. The scientists, who are under the age of 40, play an active role in integrating scientific knowledge into society.

Led by Eleftheria, the Zeggini team aims to decipher the genetic causes of common complex diseases in humans, with an emphasis on musculoskeletal and cardiometabolic disorders.

Osteoarthritis affects 40 per cent of individuals over the age of 70, is a major cause of pain and is associated with higher risk of comorbidity and death. To understand the molecular changes underpinning musculoskeletal diseases, such as osteoarthritis, the Zeggini team combine data from large-scale genome-wide association studies with cutting-edge functional genomics studies, and follow up with research in animal and cellular models in order to aid drug discovery.

To further understand cardiometabolic disorders, the team study isolated populations to investigate the underlying genetic sequence differences that are rare in cosmopolitan populations but commonly seen in the isolated populations. For example, Eleftheria and her team recently identified a genetic variant that protects the heart against cardiovascular disease. The cardioprotective variant was found in an isolated Greek population, who are known to live long and healthy lives despite having a diet rich in animal fat.

Elefhteria has an extensive track record of communicating her research to a broad audience – one of the attributes of a Young Scientist. From speaking to the public about complex diseases and isolated populations at a New Scientist event, to engaging primary school children with ‘what makes us human’ and the human body, Eleftheria has an aptitude for conveying her research in an exciting yet accurate manner. In one particular case, her ability to communicate with a lay audience aided her research when engaging with local people in Crete who volunteered as a participants for the study of cardioprotective variants.

Following the Annual Meeting of the New Champions, Young Scientists embark on a two-year journey centred on science communication and career development. Eleftheria will be supported by the World Economic Forum to further communicate about her research and raise public awareness of the medical conditions that motivate her research.

Eleftheria is joined as a Young Scientist by two other Wellcome-funded researchers: Dr Rebeccah Slater, Associate Professor of Paediatric Neuroimaging at the University of Oxford, and Dr Jennifer Bizley, Reader in Auditory Neuroscience at University College London.