Science communication award announces jury members
The Vesalius Innovation Award, recognizing excellence in science communication, has announced its jury members. This year marks a first in the award’s five-year history, as BMJ Group joins Karger Publishers to co-present the award.
The Vesalius Innovation Award is for innovation in science communication, with a total of $25,000 in prizes to be granted to the winning startups and two runners-up.
For the first time, Karger Publishers will co-present the awards with BMJ Group and main sponsor Molecular Connections.
Last year’s jury members Dan Atar, Professor of Cardiology and Head of Research, Dept. of Medicine, Oslo University Hospital; Jignesh Bhate, Founder & CEO, Molecular Connections; Stephanie Dawson, CEO, ScienceOpen; Phill Jones, Co-founder, Digital and Technology, MoreBrains Cooperative, Hylke Koers, CIO, STM Solutions, and Daniel Ebneter, CEO, Karger Publishers have all agreed to extend their tenure. The group will be reinforced by the new members Anca Babor, Director Customer and Markets, Publishing and Events, BMJ Group, and Kate Gardner, 2022 VIA runner-up and Co-founder of scientifyRESEARCH.
“I am looking forward to the innovative solutions brought by the Vesalius Innovation Award that will help us in our journey to advance science and ultimately improve healthcare,” says Anca Babor about her new role as a jury member and co-presenter, “at BMJ Group, we have consistently reinvented ourselves and built on our long-standing brand strength through a forward-thinking mindset. As we navigate the dynamic STM sector, we know that with the help of entrepreneurship and innovative ideas we will be able to remain successful and relevant.”
“We couldn’t be more excited to see the Vesalius Innovation Award moving into its fifth year with BMJ Group newly on board as a co-presenting partner,” states Daniel Ebneter, CEO, Karger Publishers, “2024 also marks the return of the VIA to its roots as the health sciences publishing ecosystem needs more innovation than ever to serve the needs of researchers, healthcare professionals and patients.”
This year’s competition will focus on science communications, in addition to artificial intelligence, research integrity, education, information transfer and new business models in publishing. Early-stage startups in the health sciences are encouraged to submit their award applications via the dedicated website, www.karger.com/via by August 31, 2024.
After the jury’s evaluation, the top five shortlisted startups will be invited to pitch their ideas at the STM Week in London in December as an excellent opportunity for the contestants to showcase their innovations to a wider audience and gain valuable exposure.
