Dame Carol Robinson has been named the Lifetime Achievement laureate at the 2024 European Inventor Award by the European Patent Office (EPO). The British chemist was selected by an independent jury for her significant contributions to blood analysis, drug development, and biochemical research. She made history as the first woman to hold a full professorship in chemistry at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities, and her dedication to mentoring has inspired numerous postgraduate students and early-career scientists.

Despite facing initial skepticism, Robinson persisted: “As a scientist, I’ve always been fearless about pursuing my own path. That has been my guiding principle throughout my career. I’ve never been one to follow the crowd.”

The EPO will celebrate her achievements during the European Inventor Award ceremony, which will be streamed from Malta on 9 July 2024. The ceremony will also announce winners in various categories and the recipient of the Popular Prize, chosen through online public voting.

Pioneering Personalized Medicine

Robinson’s innovation in mass spectrometry, specifically ‘native mass spectrometry,’ preserves proteins in their natural state, allowing detailed insights into their functions and interactions without altering their structure. This breakthrough technology facilitates precise measurements and analysis of protein complexes critical in understanding various diseases. It opens new avenues for developing targeted medications that can more effectively address disease mechanisms than ever before.