WIMM Day 2026: connecting people, ideas and scientific discovery

The annual event brought together researchers from across MRC WIMM's diverse scientific community to share the latest advances in cancer biology, haematology, immunology, infection, genome stability, rare disease and stem cell research. Through talks, posters and informal discussions, the day provided an opportunity to showcase cutting-edge science while strengthening connections across research groups and career stages.

The programme opened with presentations by the finalists for the Ita Askonas Medal, highlighting outstanding work from final year PhD students. Attendees heard about topics ranging from viral determinants of response to cancer immunotherapy and mitochondrial RNA-induced cell death to the development of novel approaches for targeting nicotinic receptors.

Ita Askonas Medal finalist delivering a talk

Researchers networking during a poster session at WIMM Day

WIMM Day attendees enjoying the lunch break.

Scientific sessions throughout the day showcased the breadth of research taking place across the Institute. Presentations explored emerging approaches to cancer treatment, the regulation of blood cell development, immune signalling, intestinal development, DNA repair mechanisms and new immunotherapies - demonstrating the collaborative and multidisciplinary nature of research at the institute. Researchers also shared their work through a range of posters spanning areas including genomics, haematopoiesis, infection, vaccine development, organoid models and developmental biology.

WIMM Day attendees discussing how to help make research more sustainable

WIMM Day attendees watching a scientific talk.

Professor Sir John Bell delivering the 12th annual Weatherall Lecture

A highlight of the programme was the 12th Weatherall Lecture, delivered by Professor Sir John Bell, who reflected on "50 years of biomedicine". The lecture provided an opportunity to look back on the remarkable advances that have transformed biomedical science while considering the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Awards and prizes

The day concluded with the presentation of awards recognising outstanding contributions across the WIMM community.

Sir Andrew McMichael Medal for Mentorship

The award is named after Professor Sir Andrew McMichael, who in 2006 received the Nature Lifetime Achievement Award for mentoring in science. Students were asked to nominate supervisors they considered to be exceptional mentors, and a panel of judges selected the winner.

Winner: Stephen Twigg

Ita Askonas Medal

Finalists for the Ita Askonas Medal were selected at the annual WIMM Student Presentation Day; the top three students were invited to present at WIMM Day, and the winner was selected by a combination of judges' ranking and audience vote.

Winner: Anna Rozina (Rehwinkel Group)

Public Engagement Awards

Public engagement is an important part of research in the WIMM. Winners of the 2026 Public Engagement Awards were selected by a panel of judges from nominations sent in by the WIMM community for people/teams they believed made a significant contribution to public engagement in the last year.

Winners: Anna Aulicino and Jean Metson

Runners-up: Lisa Leinhos and Anna Prazmo

Poster Prizes

Winners of the Award of Scientific Excellence were selected by a panel of judges, who reviewed the full range of excellent posters throughout the day:

First Prize: Naeema Mehmood (de Bruijn Group)
Runner-up: Madeline Foster-Smith (Patel Group)

The judges also gave an honourable mention to Sarah Probert, an MSc student in the Rehwinkel Group.

For the first time this year, WIMM Day attendees were asked to select their top three posters, with the poster receiving the most votes being awarded the Audience Choice Award:

Winner: Avery Buchanan (Khan Group)