Prof Barbara Conradt elected to EMBO Membership

Sixty new EMBO Members and nine EMBO Associate Members have been elected to the EMBO Membership in recognition of their outstanding achievements. They have demonstrated research excellence in their fields, ranging from RNA to plant biology, and from epidemiology to molecular medicine. Through this lifelong honour, new members become part of a community of more than 2,100 life scientists across Europe and around the world.

EMBO Director Fiona Watt says: “A major strength of EMBO lies in the excellence and dedication of its members. Science thrives on global collaboration, and the annual election of the new EMBO Members and Associate Members brings fresh energy and inspiration to our community. We are honoured to welcome this remarkable group of scientists to the EMBO Membership. Their ideas and contributions will enrich the organization and help advance the life sciences internationally.”

Prof Barbara Conradt is a Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology within the Division of Biosciences, renowned for her research on cell fate decisions and apoptosis using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism. Her research has significantly advanced our understanding of how cells decide between life and death, providing critical insights into the genetic and molecular mechanisms that regulate development and disease, with broader implications for cancer biology and neurodegeneration.

Prof Barbara Conradt says: “I feel truly honoured to be elected to EMBO, and I am very grateful to the colleagues that have mentored and supported me over the years. I look forward to becoming part of the EMBO community, which is a driver of scientific progress and creates a positive impact both within and beyond our field.”

EMBO was founded in 1964 and is a membership organization. Its members help shape the future direction of life sciences by actively participating in EMBO initiatives. They serve on EMBO Council and Committees, editorial boards of EMBO Press journals, and review funding applications. Each year, new members are selected through nomination and election by the existing EMBO Membership. The process ensures the representation of diverse research fields responds to emerging trends.

The 60 new EMBO Members in 2025 are based in 18 member states of the EMBC, the intergovernmental organization that funds the main EMBO Programmes and activities. The nine new EMBO Associate Members are based in six countries outside Europe. In total, 29 (42%) of the new members are women and 40 (58%) are men. 

The new members will be formally welcomed at the next EMBO Members’ Meeting in Heidelberg, Germany, on 22-24 October 2025.

Meet the 2025 members and associate members.

About EMBO
EMBO stands for excellence in life sciences. EMBO is an organization of more than 2,100 leading researchers that promotes excellence in the life sciences in Europe and beyond. The major goals of the organization are to support talented researchers at all stages of their careers, stimulate the exchange of scientific information, and help build a research environment where scientists can achieve their best work. EMBO helps young scientists to advance their research, promote their international reputation and ensure their mobility. Courses, workshops, lectures and EMBO Press publications disseminate the latest research and offer training in techniques to maintain high standards of excellence in research practice. EMBO helps to shape science policy by seeking input and feedback from our communities and by following closely the trends in science. For more information visit: embo.org

About EMBO Membership
The EMBO Membership is a community of more than 2,100 EMBO Members and Associate Members. Election as a member recognizes research excellence and outstanding achievements, and membership is a lifelong honour. EMBO Members guide the execution of all EMBO Programmes and activities by serving on EMBO Council, Committees and Advisory Editorial Boards, and review applications for funding. EMBO Associate Members, who reside outside Europe, add a global perspective to the current activities and future directions of the organization. By participating in the work of EMBO, the members collectively influence the direction of science and strengthen research communities in Europe and beyond. An annual election process ensures that the EMBO Membership continues to represent a broad range of research fields and adapts to emerging trends.

Contact: EMBO Communications communications@embo.org

Image credit for Prof Barbara Conradt: International Cell Death Society