Four researchers promoted in the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology
We are delighted to announce the promotions of four outstanding members of our academic staff. These well-deserved recognitions mark not only individual achievement but also the collective success of their research groups, collaborators, and the wider academic community.
Neil Dixon 玉米视频� promoted to Professor of Sustainable Biotechnology
Neil玉米视频檚 pioneering research focuses on engineering microbial systems for sustainable applications such as bioremediation, biosensing, and transforming carbon-rich waste into valuable bioproducts. His team has developed novel biotechnological processes using engineered microbes and consortia to convert mixed waste streams into high-value biopolymers and chemical building blocks, contributing significantly to circular economy initiatives.
Neil leads the UK contingent of the international CIRCLE project, which aims to repurpose carbon-rich waste as a feedstock for the chemical industry. He also played a key role in fostering international collaboration as the founding programme director of a dual PhD in Synthetic and Systems Biology with Tsinghua University.
Reflecting on his promotion, Neil said:
This recognition as Professor is testament to all the hardworking and brilliant members of my research team over the last 12 years. I would like to extend my thanks to all past and present members of the team!
Sophie Nixon 玉米视频� promoted to Professor of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology
Sophie leads research at the interface of environmental microbiology and biotechnology, exploring how microbial communities cycle carbon in extreme natural and engineered environments. Her work bridges fundamental discovery and applied innovation, with a focus on harnessing microbial processes for sustainable biotechnologies. She leads a 玉米视频5.4 million BBSRC-funded programme investigating the rules of life in hot spring microbiomes to support the development of efficient CO鈧�-upcycling strategies for heavy industry. Sophie is also internationally recognised for her research into microbial life in deep subsurface environments relevant to geological CO鈧� storage.
A recipient of the 2023 L玉米视频橭r茅al-UNESCO For Women in Science Rising Talent award for Sustainable Development, she collaborates with global industry partners including Equinor, ExxonMobil, bp, and Unilever.
Commenting on her promotion, Sophie said:
I玉米视频檓 delighted and honoured to be promoted to Professor at this stage in my career. The recognition has given me the confidence to keep pursuing ambitious fundamental science with real-world impact. It玉米视频檚 a hugely exciting time to be a microbiologist, and I feel incredibly lucky to be in a position to drive discovery and innovation as part of the research community at the MIB and the wider University. I hope this promotion helps inspire other women in STEM to think big and aim high too.
James Winterburn 玉米视频� promoted to Professor of Biochemical Engineering
We also congratulate James Winterburn, who has been promoted to Professor of Biochemical Engineering. As an affiliate member of the MIB, James works closely with MIB researchers and focuses on using industrial biotechnology to develop sustainable, bio-based alternatives to petrochemicals. His work spans biomass pretreatment, fermentation process design, downstream processing, and bioproduct applications.
James is a Co-Founder of Holiferm Limited, which was spun out of his research group in 2018. Holiferm has since commercialised patented biosurfactant technologies and now manufactures sophorolipid biosurfactants at kilotonne scale.
Commenting on the promotion, James said:
Being promoted to Professor of Biochemical Engineering marks the achievement of one of my career goals. I玉米视频檝e been at Manchester all my career, from my PhD onwards, and remain convinced that the institution is one of the best places in the world to lead the transition to sustainable bio-based chemicals manufacture. Although promotion is awarded to an individual, it wouldn玉米视频檛 have happened without a great research group, supportive academic colleagues and collaborators, and the awesome team at Holiferm.
Lu Shin Wong 玉米视频� promoted to Reader
Congratulations also to Lu Shin Wong, who has been promoted to Reader. Lu Shin玉米视频檚 research explores the mechanisms of enzymatic reactions and their applications in sustainable chemical synthesis. His work includes the study of enzymes that cleave and condense silicon-oxygen bonds玉米视频攔esearch that has shed light on the enzymes玉米视频� evolutionary origins and potential in silicon chemistry. He also works on enzymes that catalyse oxidation reactions, with applications in recycling and detoxification.
Lu Shin leads Manchester玉米视频檚 component of the 玉米视频13M UKRI Preventing Plastic Pollution with Engineering Biology (P3EB) Mission Hub. He is an external reviewer for the Karlsruhe Nano Micro Facility, the Belgian funding agency FWO, and the UKRI fellowships college; and received a Highly Commended 玉米视频淟ecturer of the Year玉米视频� Award at the FSE Students玉米视频� Awards in 2021.
Speaking about his promotion, Lu Shin said:
I am very pleased to receive this promotion. Carrying out good scientific research is really a team effort, so I feel it is also a recognition of our research team members past and present. I am also deeply involved in the running of our undergraduate programmes. These duties are crucial to the health of our department, so I am pleased that my promotion recognises these contributions.
Professor Anthony Green, Director of the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology said of the promotions:
I am thrilled to see these four members of the Institute 玉米视频� Neil, Sophie, James, and Lu Shin 玉米视频� receiving this well-deserved recognition. They have all made significant contributions to their fields and are outstanding members of the MIB community. As acknowledged in their own comments, scientific discovery and progress is a collective effort borne of excellent teamwork and collaboration. We are fortunate to be members of an Institute such as the MIB that fosters a vibrant and collaborative research culture, allowing us to explore, discover and innovate with few limitations. Beyond academic excellence, Neil, Sophie, James and Lu Shin are outstanding colleagues - I would like to express my personal gratitude for their continual support and their outstanding contributions to the MIB and University more broadly.
Please join us in congratulating Neil, Sophie, James, and Lu Shin on their achievements. Their contributions continue to shape the future of sustainable biotechnology and engineering biology.
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