Dr Jenny Molloy received Special Recognition for Advocacy and Awareness at the 2nd Annual European Open Source Awards, held in Brussels.
The Special Recognition for Advocacy and Awareness award is given to the individuals ensuring open source is included in the policy-making agenda, raising the awareness of open source technologies and its community.
Dr Molloy, Group Leader in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge, was recognised for her pioneering leadership in Open Science Hardware, including co-founding and organising the Gathering of Open Science Hardware at CERN in 2016, which initiated a community that now convenes several hundred members via an online forum and regular events. She has also played a key role in establishing the Open Material Transfer Agreement, a tool that enables open exchange of biological materials, designed to support openness, sharing and innovation in global biotechnology.
Commenting on the award, Dr Molloy said:
"I'm delighted to see open hardware for science increasingly recognised internationally over the last decade since I co-founded the Gathering for Open Science Hardware. This is very much a team effort and I dedicate this award to my many colleagues that also work tirelessly to advance open source technologies within the scientific ecosystem.
"In my acceptance speech, I thanked several inspiring mentors in open source such as Peter Murray-Rust and Rufus Pollock, who warmly welcomed me into their communities 18 years ago as an enthusiastic but slightly intimidated Cambridge undergrad. People who are generous enough to open those doors for others are critical and I wouldn't have my current career or be receiving this award without them"