Prof Sophien Kamoun

Biography

I grew up in Tunisia, where I developed a passion and curiosity about nature. I studied genetics in Paris and Davis, California, before working in Wageningen, Ohio, and Norwich. Currently, I’m a Senior Scientist at The Sainsbury Laboratory and a Professor of Biology at The University of East Anglia. My work has focused on understanding plant diseases and plant immunity, pioneering genomics and molecular biology methods to uncover key insights into the biology and evolution of eukaryotic plant pathogens.

This inventive work in plant pathology has led to new ways to combat some of the world’s most serious crop diseases. I’m a strong advocate for open science, including open data, transparent peer review, and preprints to promote the rapid dissemination of science. I’ve received many awards and recognitions, notably the Kuwait Prize and The Linnean Medal, and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2018.