Thursday, 18 June 2026
A plant scientist from the 糖心原创 has been awarded funding to advance research into how plants respond to environmental stress, generating knowledge that could help develop more resilient crops and support future food security in a changing climate.
BBSRC has invested £10 million in as part of its ongoing commitment to develop the next generation of independent research leaders across the UK.
Zimbabwean-born Dr Charlene Dambire from the School of Biosciences is one of 21 scientists awarded a BBSRC Discovery Fellowship. A highly sought-after award, BBSRC’s Discovery Fellowships are offered to individuals poised to become not only outstanding researchers, but outstanding leaders in their particular field.
To be successfully named as a Discovery Fellow, prospective candidates must demonstrate that they are undertaking ground-breaking science that not only aligns with BBSRC’s strategic priorities, but that also has the potential to make real impact.
Charlene has been awarded £500,000 for research that aims to uncover how plant enzymes called proteases and their targets control plant stress responses, laying the groundwork for developing novel strategies to increase crop resilience.
Charlene said: “I am deeply honoured and grateful to have been awarded a BBSRC Fellowship. Beyond the scientific opportunities it provides, this award holds profound personal significance. My journey in science began far from research laboratories and international conferences. I grew up in Zimbabwe, where in some communities limited opportunities often made a career in science seem out of reach, particularly for girls. This fellowship is a powerful reminder of what can happen when potential is matched with opportunity.
As a Black woman in plant sciences, this award represents more than a personal milestone. It is a powerful testament that excellence in science exists in every community and deserves to be seen, supported, and celebrated.
Charlene was also the 2025 recipient of the UK Black in Plant Sciences Research Excellence Award and this award supports her path towards becoming a leading plant proteostasis researcher.
She adds: “I hope my journey encourages others to see themselves in scientific spaces, pursue their ambitions with confidence, and recognise that they can not only contribute to science but lead it.”
Developing resilient crops in the face of climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing agriculture: I am delighted that Charlene will be able to use this fellowship to continue her research into understanding how the regulation of protein stability is important in plant cell biology and can be used to enhance crop performance.
Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith, BBSRC Executive Chair, said: “Through these projects, many of which offer significant potential for future application in areas ranging from neuroscience and engineering biology to artificial intelligence and pathogen detection, BBSRC is supporting cutting-edge research that addresses some of the most important questions in modern bioscience."
By investing in talented individuals at this pivotal stage of their careers, we are also nurturing independent research leaders whose ideas and innovations will shape our understanding of the living world for decades to come.
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More information is available from Charlene Dambire on Charlene.Dambire@nottingham.ac.uk
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.