Aston Medal

The Aston Medal was established by the British Mass Spectrometry Society in 1987.  As the Society's prestigious scientific award, it is to be given to individuals deserving special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to knowledge in the biological, chemical, engineering, mathematical, medical, or physical sciences relating directly to mass spectrometry.

Contents

  1. Holders of the Aston Medal
  2. Award Criteria
  3. To make a nomination

Holders of the Aston Medal

Professor John Beynon
Professor Allan Maccoll
Brian Green
Professor Keith Jennings
Professor Dai Games
Professor Colin Pillinger
Dr Tom Preston
Professor John Todd
Robert Bateman
Professor Richard Evershed
Professor Carol Robinson
Professor Tony Stace
Professor Graham Cooks

For further information see Notable Names in British MS

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Award Criteria

The Aston Medal was established by the British Mass Spectrometry Society in 1987 as the Society's prestigious scientific award, to be given to individuals deserving special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to knowledge in the biological, chemical, engineering, mathematical, medical or physical sciences relating directly to mass spectrometry.

It takes the name of one of Britain's founders of mass spectrometry, Francis William Aston†. He received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1922 for his discovery "by means of his mass spectrograph, of isotopes, in a large number of non-radioactive elements, and for his enunciation of the whole-number rule".
  † Find out more about Francis Aston

OBJECTIVE
To honour individuals deserving special recognition by reason of their pioneering technical contributions to knowledge in the biological, chemical, engineering, mathematical, medical, or physical sciences relating directly to outstanding exploitation, application or development of mass spectrometry.

ELIGIBILITY
Open to academic and industrial scientists of any nationality who have worked in the UK. The nominee does not necessarily have to be a member of BMSS or a UK citizen.

ADVERTISEMENT
Full details of the criteria for the award of the Aston Medal (as with other BMSS awards) will be posted continuously on the BMSS web site and occasionally in the Newsletter and any other media of advertisement which the committee deem appropriate.  Advertisement will be made at a date that allows members sufficient time to make nominations to the selection committee together with the current address where to submit nominations. 

NOMINATIONS
Nominations can only be made by current BMSS members, from any membership category (including those not commanding a membership fee, such as honorary members), BMSS committee members and/or the BMSS Aston Award selection committee members. Nominations, including the requested supporting information, must be received in the BMSS administrative office by 20th April for consideration of awarding at the next annual meeting. Nominations will be kept on file and reassessed annually. Unsuccessful nominations will expire on the third anniversary of their submission.

SELECTION COMMITTEE
The selection committee will be the regular BMSS committee, or a sub-committee nominated by the BMSS committee and approved by the BMSS Chair. The BMSS Chair will usually chair the selection committee which will comprise at least six scientists and will judge the nominations for the award in line with the published criteria. The decision of this group is final. The selection committee will usually meet on the same date (May meeting) as the BMSS committee prior to the Annual Meeting.

FREQUENCY OF THE AWARD
The award is occasional with no more than one per year. The Aston Medal will not be associated with a particular year or number.

ANNOUNCEMENT AND PRESENTATION OF THE ASTON MEDAL
The announcement and presentation of the award will usually be made at the Annual Meeting of the BMSS. The BMSS Chair will usually make the award.

THE AWARD
A gold-plated medal carrying a portrait of Aston, together with a certificate commemorating the Award duly signed by the BMSS Chair.

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To make a nomination

ASTON MEDAL NOMINATION DETAILS

To honour individuals deserving special recognition by reason of their pioneering technical contributions to knowledge in the biological, chemical, engineering, mathematical, medical, or physical sciences relating directly to outstanding exploitation, application or development of mass spectrometry.

Nominations should consist of the following documentation:

  1. One page nomination containing the following information
    • Nominee: name, affiliation and address
    • First nominator, who must be a member of the BMSS: name, email address and telephone number
    • Second nominator, who must be a member of the BMSS: name, email address and telephone number
    • Date of nomination
  2. One page description of why in your view the nominee is deserving of this award. Please include a brief description of the pioneering activities in mass spectrometry, including when and where they worked in the UK.
  3. A list of the nominee’s publications, highlighting the two most relevant publications.
  4. Letter of support from first nominator
  5. Letter of support from second nominator

Nominations should reach the BMSS Administrator: admin@bmss.org.uk, before the deadline of 20th of April 2024 and will be considered for award at the following Annual Meeting. Nominations will be kept on file for consideration annually. The nomination will expire on the third anniversary of its submission date.

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