Academician Eva-Mari Aro Elected to the Royal Society in UK
Academician, Professor of Molecular Plant Biology Eva-Mari Aro has been selected for her substantial contribution to photosynthesis research to the esteemed Royal Society. The Society is a national academy of sciences in the United Kingdom made up of the world’s most eminent scientists from all the disciplines in science, engineering and medicine.
Eighty scientists from around the world have been selected as new Fellows, Foreign Members and Honorary Fellows of the Royal Society.
Research Director of Molecular Plant Biology, Department of Life Technologies, Eva-Mari Aro is recognised for her contribution to photosynthesis research and for introducing a whole new area of strength in photosynthesis research to Finnish science. There are only a few Finnish scientists in the society, which makes this a significant recognition.
“I would never have thought that my research career will lead to a fellowship in the national science academies of both the United States and the United Kingdom. This has been made possible by the long-term support of the Academy of Finland for basic research, which has also provided the basis for the applications,” says Aro.
The laboratory led by Professor Aro has grown into one of the world’s premier centres of photosynthesis research. According to the Royal Society, Aro is one of Europe’s best networked and broadly experienced plant biologists. Aro has, for instance, been serving on the European Academies Science Advisory Council and representing Finland on high-level EU programs in energy, environment and biosciences (e.g.,SUNERGY Initiative).
The Royal Society’s fundamental purpose, reflected in its founding Charters of the 1660s, is to recognise, promote, and support excellence in science and to encourage the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity. There are approximately 1,700 Fellows and Foreign Members, including around 85 Nobel Laureates, in the science academy. The Fellows and Foreign Members join the ranks of Stephen Hawking, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Lise Meitner, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar and Dorothy Hodgkin.
