The Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR, North America), Society for Reproduction and Fertility (SRF, UK) and Society for Reproductive Biology (SRB, Australia and New Zealand) have announced that Roser Vento-Tormo, PhD, Group Leader at the Wellcome Sanger Institute (UK), is the 2026 Recipient of the RV Short Medal and Lecture.
Dr. Vento-Tormo, who obtained a PhD from the University of Barcelona and conducted a postdoctoral fellowship at Wellcome Sanger Institute, is awarded for pioneering research on the female reproductive system. Dr. Roser Vento-Tormo has developed and is applying cutting-edge technologies to reproductive tissues, revealing fundamental discoveries. This includes how constituent cells interact to make functioning tissues, how these tissues are made inside the embryo during development, and the cellular identities linked to genetic risk. Most notably, she has discovered new roles for immune cells, rather than just acting in self-defense as ‘guards’, these cells are critical ‘architects’ of tissue structures that play key roles in the imbalanced tissues of disease. Dr. Vento-Tormo acknowledges the Ramón Areces Foundation.
The selection committee received a very strong field of nominations and was impressed by the calibre and achievements of many nominees from the three eligible societies. Associate Professor Shuo Xiao from Rutgers University, USA, and Associate Professor, Ahmed Balboula, University of Missouri, USA, were selected for Honorable Mention.
The three societies that sponsor and administer the RV Short Medal are each engaged in advancing science to support reproductive health in humans and animals. The Medal was developed to celebrate the remarkable and creative contributions of the late Professor Roger Short of the University of Melbourne. Some of his accomplishments and remarkable wit can be sampled https://www.science.org.au/learning/general-audience/history/interviews-australian-scientists/professor-roger-short
Dr. Vento-Tormo will deliver the RV Short Lecture and the Medal will be presented in a ceremony early in 2027.