MARBLES partner Marcel Jaspars honoured with prestigious RSE Medal

We are delighted to share that Marcel Jaspars, a key partner in MARBLES and Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Aberdeen (UNIABDN), has been awarded the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) Adam Smith Medal for 2025. This prestigious accolade recognises exceptional achievements in business, public service, and public engagement by an established career researcher.

Professor Jaspars is internationally renowned for his world-leading expertise in marine biodiscovery. His pioneering research explores the biochemistry of marine organisms and their potential applications in drug discovery, making a significant impact on science and society. Beyond academia, Marcel has played a vital role in shaping global policy debates at the United Nations, particularly on marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ Treaty) and ongoing negotiations on digital sequence information (DSI), a critical component for equitable benefit sharing in the use of genetic resources.

Professor Jaspars said:

"I am delighted to have been awarded the RSE’s Adam Smith Medal in recognition of my work translating the science of marine biodiscovery into policy. I am hopeful that a scientifically literate policy to protect the biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction will protect the ocean and benefit marine scientific research. The deep ocean is a remarkable place, full of unexplored biology and chemistry which deserves our protection in its own right, as well as for its potential to enable the discovery of new medicines and other products.”

His work exemplifies the MARBLES project’s mission to advance sustainable marine biotechnology and ensure fair and responsible use of ocean resources. We are proud to collaborate with such an influential scientist whose contributions extend from cutting-edge research to international policy-making. Congratulations to Marcel on this well-deserved recognition!

Learn more about the award on the RSE website

Photo credit: Stewart Attwood Photography