Research Prize

Neil Henderson is awarded the distinguished UEG Research Prize 2022 for his outstanding project “Using integrated single cell genomics and spatial transcriptomics approaches to identify the key therapeutic targets driving the progression of human NASH”.

The exciting and novel vision of his proposal is to unravel the complexity of how the multiple cell lineages inhabiting the human NASH fibrotic niche interact to regulate and drive the progression of human liver fibrosis . In the outlined research project, he aims to investigate the dynamic cellular composition of the human liver fibrotic niche during NASH-induced fibrosis progression, and whether relevant therapeutic targets change dependent on fibrosis stage. 

Over the last twenty years, Prof. Henderson has used basic science combined with translational research approaches to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving liver fibrosis. His work has been recognised by the award of prestigious prizes and invited lectures such as the United European Gastroenterology Rising Star Award (2014) and the Hans Popper Basic Science State-of-the-Art Lecture, American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (2021).

Neil Henderson is a group leader/Wellcome Trust Senior Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, investigating to harness single cell genomics and spatial transcriptomics approaches to decode human liver fibrosis.

UEG awards € 100,000 each year for excellence in basic science, translational or clinical research.

With this prize we support a future scientific research project from early stage to successful conclusion. The prize addresses well-established researchers at the height of their active career, whose science has had or will have a crucial impact on digestive health.

Application is closed.

• Active, well-established senior researchers at the height of their active career, whose science has had or will have a crucial impact on digestive health.
• Applicants should be leading a substantial research group and their work should be conducted predominantly in Europe.
• The work should have been supported by substantial peer reviewed grants through internationally recognised research councils, research charities or industrial partners.
• Applicants must have been mentioned at least once as (co-)author of an abstract submitted to UEG Week - or have been awarded as Rising Stars - in the past 3 years (2018, 2019, and/or 2020). 
• Applicants must commit to deliver the agreed research within the stipulated time frame. 
• Applications from departments that received a Research Prize in the previous 5 years (2016-2020) will not be accepted.  
• The prize will be awarded to the same recipient only once.
• We encourage candidates from all digestive health fields to apply.
• For further details, read our application criteria.