For forty years, SCI has supported and recognised the excellence of early career scientists, by aiding their studies in the form of an SCI Scholarship.
Since 1985 more than 80 scholarships have been awarded which have not only given the recipients financial assistance, but have enabled them to broaden their network, and strengthen their skills and knowledge. SCI Scholars receive access to publishing and mentoring opportunities and are given a platform to present their work amongst esteemed scientists and industrialists, raising their profile within the scientific community.
We are delighted to announce that Eleanor Yates, from the University of Sheffield, has been awarded an SCI Scholarship of £5,000 over two years to support her PhD project.
In addition to the scholarship, Eleanor will benefit from publishing opportunities, access to a high-calibre network to help launch her career, and opportunities to present her work and raise her profile within the scientific community.
SCI Scholarships are prestigious and well respected by the industry. The SCI Scholars Fund was established in 1920 by the requests of Rudolph Messel and John Gray, both former presidents and founding members of SCI. SCI believes in nurturing the scientists of the future. Each year, SCI provides scholarships and bursaries to early career scientists including opportunities to attend or present at an international conference.
"I am Eleanor Yates, a PhD researcher at the University of Sheffield. In 2024, I graduated with a First Class Honours MSci degree in Chemistry from the University of Birmingham, which included a year-long industrial placement at Lubrizol specialising in eco-friendly coatings. I then undertook a Master’s project focused on synthesising broad-spectrum antivirals, contributing experimental work to a publication in Biomacromolecules. Together, these projects solidified my interest in translational science and refining technologies for specific clinical and industrial applications.
"My doctoral research builds directly on this by investigating the use of cold atmospheric plasma in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. While plasma alone effectively eradicates bacteria, treating resilient, multi-species biofilms requires a combination treatment strategy. Therefore, I am designing responsive hydrogels that react to the local acidity spikes caused by plasma application, releasing the bound drug exactly when, where, and at the dosage needed. I am excited to explore the efficacy of these hydrogels alongside novel plasma devices through upcoming collaborations with research teams in South Korea and Spain. Additionally, to help bridge the gap between the lab and the market, I recently completed the EnterpriseTECH commercialisation programme at Cambridge Judge Business School, fully funded by the Henry Royce Institute.
"Outside the lab, I am a dedicated leader and science communicator. I have presented my research at national and international conferences – earning both a poster and an oral presentation prize – as well as at local schools and the Pint of Science festival. My commitment to leadership is reflected in my roles as a postgraduate representative and mentor, and as an RSC local section student committee member where I have organised and chaired multiple symposia. Alongside my doctoral studies, I have also completed advanced German language qualifications to C1 proficiency.
"Inspired by my background as a young carer, I am deeply committed to breaking down barriers to STEM education. To support this, I regularly work as an ambassador for the Sheffield Higher Education Progression Partnership, and later this year I will complete a three-month UKRI Policy Internship at the Royal Society focused on science education. I am incredibly honoured to be selected for an SCI Scholarship, and I look forward to using this opportunity to expand my professional network and share my work with the interdisciplinary SCI community."
Eleanor Yates
PhD student
University of Sheffield
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