The British and Irish Society of Animal Science (BISAS) is delighted to announce that Isabelle Smith, a third-year postgraduate student at The University of Edinburgh, has been awarded the BISAS Steve Bishop Collaboration for Innovation Award 2025.

Isabelle received the award in recognition of her outstanding research, which explores the development of pituitary tumours in animal models, with a particular focus on equids. Her work demonstrates exceptional scientific curiosity, innovation and collaborative potential—qualities that the Steve Bishop Award is designed to celebrate.

A highly enthusiastic and driven student at the Institute for Neuroscience and Cardiovascular Research, Isabelle will use the prize funding to further her research at University of California, Los Angeles in February 2025. This international collaboration represents an exciting next step in her academic journey and will significantly expand the scope of her work.

Isabelle’s research is supported by her PhD supervisor, Paul Le Tissier, who highlighted the importance of the collaboration:

“This is very exciting work that is in collaboration with Ruth Morgan of the Scottish Rural College who has been studying these tumours for a number of years. The new collaboration will allow us, for the first time, to freeze and cultivate tumours, creating real opportunities for this research to grow and potentially transfer across species.”

Commenting on the award, Caroline Griffin of Innovate UK Business Connect said:

“Supporting early-career researchers like Isabelle is vital to driving innovation and collaboration across disciplines. This project is an excellent example of how academic research can develop new techniques with the potential for broad application across species and sectors.”

Helen Warren, President of BISAS, added:

“Isabelle’s work perfectly reflects the spirit of the Steve Bishop Collaboration for Innovation Award. Her enthusiasm, scientific rigour and willingness to engage in international collaboration are exactly what BISAS seeks to encourage, and we are excited to see where this research leads.”

At BISAS, we are proud to support talented students and early-career researchers and look forward to following the progress of this innovative work.

The BISAS Steve Bishop Collaboration for Innovation Award 2025 is kindly supported by Innovate UK Business Connect, whose continued backing helps to drive innovation, collaboration and excellence in animal science research.

Find out more about Isabelle's research below: