The awards celebrate the work of MPLS researchers whose research is making a tangible difference to society, the economy, public policy and public engagement. This year's winners were selected from nominations representing researchers across the Division at different career stages. The five award winners will each receive a £1,000 prize in recognition of their achievements.
In addition to the five winning projects, the judging panel made a further three commendations.
Chair of the MPLS Impact Awards judging panel, Professor Gail Preston, said: 'This year's nominations once again demonstrate the outstanding breadth and quality of impact being delivered across the MPLS research community. The panel was impressed by the exceptional standard of the submissions. It was particularly encouraging to see so many strong nominations from early career researchers, reflecting the growing confidence and ambition of colleagues at the start of their impact journeys. On behalf of the panel, I congratulate everyone who was nominated for their outstanding contributions.'
Professor Jim Naismith, Head of the Mathematical, Physical and Life Science Division, said: ‘I am delighted to congratulate the winners and nominees of this year’s Impact Awards. It is through impact, making life better for the UK and the world, that our research derives vital public support and consent.’
Winners
MPLS Social Impact Award: Dr Hollie Booth (Department of Biology)
© Francesca PageDelivering positive outcomes for marine biodiversity and coastal communities through people-centred, evidence-based policy engagement
Indonesia is home to globally important populations of critically endangered sharks and rays, yet these species are frequently caught by small-scale fishers whose livelihoods depend on marine resources. Dr Hollie Booth's work has shown that conservation policies are most effective when they are developed alongside the communities they affect.
Since 2021, her research has shaped fisheries and conservation policy at multiple levels across Indonesia. She implemented the world's first randomised controlled trial of marine conservation incentives, informing revised customary laws and marine protected area management plans for hammerhead sharks and wedgefish in Aceh Province. She also led Indonesia's first vessel buyout pilot programme for shark conservation in West Nusa Tenggara Province, supporting fisheries management and implementation of Indonesia's international conservation commitments.
By combining rigorous evidence with community participation and engagement across government, her approach offers a practical model for delivering positive outcomes for both marine biodiversity and coastal communities.
Professor Martin Maiden, Head of the Department of Biology, said:
'The department is delighted to congratulate Hollie on receiving the MPLS Social Impact Award. A former DPhil student, Hollie’s career has blossomed to demonstrate how world-leading research can deliver tangible benefits for both people and nature. Her innovative work in Indonesia has combined rigorous scientific evidence, including the world's first randomised controlled trial of marine conservation incentives, with deep engagement of local communities, NGOs and policymakers.
'By developing and testing practical, equitable approaches to shark and ray conservation, Hollie’s research has influenced fisheries and conservation policy across Indonesia, while supporting the livelihoods and wellbeing of coastal communities. Her work exemplifies the Department's commitment to interdisciplinary, evidence-based research that matters to global challenges and creates meaningful societal impact. We are immensely proud of her achievements and delighted to see them recognised in this way.'
MPLS Commercial Impact Award: Dr Joseph Goodwin (Department of Physics)
Commercialisation of my research via founding and leadership of Oxford spin-out Quantum Fabrix (QFX)
Building on years of research at the forefront of trapped-ion quantum computing, Dr Joseph Goodwin co-founded the Oxford spin-out Quantum Fabrix (QFX) in 2024 to commercialise quantum technologies developed within the Department of Physics.
Established without external investment, the company generated revenue through component sales from its first day of operation before securing its initial investment round in January 2025. Since then, QFX has secured and delivered a strategic UK Government quantum technology contract, expanded its manufacturing capability and intellectual property portfolio, accelerated the development of modular quantum hardware, and grown component sales to customers around the world.
Professor Andrew Boothroyd, Head of the Department of Physics, said: 'The outstanding work by Joe Goodwin demonstrates how basic research is being translated into commercial technology in Oxford. All the development work underpinning the intellectual property of Joe's QFX spin-out was done in the Department of Physics at Oxford.'
MPLS Early Career Public Engagement with Research Award: Dr Oana Bazavan (Department of Physics)
Making quantum technology research accessible and building capacity for public engagement
During the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, Dr Oana Bazavan made quantum research more accessible to school students and public audiences through a programme of school impact days, public talks and interactive demonstrations.
She coordinated around 40 researchers and contributed to activities that reached more than 2,000 people, helping participants explore complex ideas in engaging and accessible ways. Alongside delivering events, she developed resources that continue to support researchers in delivering high-quality public engagement.
Head of Department, Professor Andrew Boothroyd, said: 'The International Year of Quantum was a major focus for the department last year and an important opportunity to engage broader audiences with quantum science and our research. Oana made a significant contribution to these activities, alongside presenting her ion trapping research in engaging and accessible ways. She helped coordinate colleagues across the Oxford Physics Department and contributed to a wide-ranging programme of events that generated strong public interest and curiosity around quantum science.'
MPLS Early Career Policy Impact Award: Dr Joseph Poore (Department of Biology)
Embedding the environment in decision-making throughout the world food system
Food production is a major driver of biodiversity loss, climate change and other environmental challenges, yet until recently there was no consistent global evidence base showing where those impacts arise or how they could be reduced
Dr Joseph Poore's 2018 analysis brought together data from nearly 38,700 farms across 119 countries, creating the most comprehensive global analysis of food's environmental impacts to date. The findings showed that environmental impacts vary dramatically between farms producing the same products and that shifting towards plant-based diets can substantially reduce those impacts.
Since 2021, the evidence has informed national dietary guidelines, underpinned standards for green finance, helped more than 90 major caterers reduce emissions across around 10 billion meals served annually, and sits behind product-level carbon footprint information used by Europe's largest supermarkets.
Head of Department, Martin Maiden said: 'I know I am speaking for the whole Department when I congratulate Joe Poore on receiving the MPLS Social Impact Award. An important contributor to the Department in many ways, Joe's research has transformed our understanding of the environmental impacts of food production and has provided the evidence and tools needed to support more sustainable decision-making across the global food system. His landmark work reveals the scale and variability of food's environmental footprint, demonstrating the significant opportunities to reduce impacts through changes in production and consumption. Through the HESTIA project, Joe has continued to lead innovation by developing the data, standards and analytical tools required for outcome-based environmental management in agriculture. The influence of his research extends from national dietary guidelines and green finance standards to food retailers, caterers, and policymakers worldwide.
'Joe's work exemplifies the power of evidence-based science to address some of our most pressing environmental challenges. The Department is delighted to see this recognition of his outstanding contribution to environmental sustainability and societal impact through this award.'
MPLS Policy Impact Award: Professor Nicole Grobert (Department of Materials)
Establishing a strong European Advanced Materials Ecosystem bridging the entire supply chain across Europe
Professor Nicole Grobert has played a key role in ensuring that advanced materials research informs European science and innovation policy.
Drawing on her experience across academia and industry, she contributed in a personal capacity to high-level European discussions on advanced materials. This work led to the development of the Materials 2030 Manifesto and Roadmap, establishing a shared vision for how advanced materials can support a greener and more resilient society.
The recommendations have since influenced major European funding programmes, partnerships and investment, while strengthening collaboration across the advanced materials community and with national centres including the Henry Royce Institute.
Commendations
MPLS Early Career Commercial Impact: Dr Kun Peng (Department of Physics)
From Lab to Impact: Translating Terahertz Imaging into Real-World Applications
Dr Kun Peng is developing new nanomaterial-based approaches that improve terahertz imaging, supporting the transition of the technology from laboratory research into applications in healthcare, manufacturing and security.
Through programmes including RisingWISE, UKRI ICURe and EPSRC Impact Acceleration funding, she has worked with industry to identify commercial opportunities and refine applications including disease detection, manufacturing quality control and more efficient waste sorting.
Professor Andrew Boothroyd said: 'This is a very promising application of THz spectroscopy developed in the Oxford Physics Department. The commercialisation of the technology will address a global challenge in the area of waste recycling.'
MPLS Early Career Policy Impact: Chrishen Gomez, Jennifer Linden, Guilherme Alvarenga and Tyler M-Ramcharan (Department of Biology)
Making species prediction data available and usable for land use planning and conservation strategy globally
DPhil students at WildCRU, led by Chrishen Gomez, developed WildMAPS, an open-access platform that brings together predictive species distribution maps within a single, standardised database.
Launched in August 2025, the platform hosts predictions for more than 40 species across three continents and is already informing land use planning in Sabah, Northern Borneo. The team is working with the Sabah Government to use WildMAPS as part of a conservation land allocation strategy supporting the state's 30-year structural plan on land use.
Professor Martin Maiden said: 'Very many congratulations to Chrishen Gomez, Jennifer Linden, Guilherme Alvarenga and Tyler M-Ramcharan, all students in the WildCRU research group, on this extremely well-deserved recognition. The Department is especially cognizant of how students and early-career scientists are making crucial contributions to addressing global conservation challenges. By creating an open-access platform that brings together predictive species distribution data in a standardised and accessible format, the team is helping to bridge the gap between cutting-edge ecological research and real-world conservation decision-making. It is particularly encouraging to see WildMAPS already informing land-use planning in Sabah, Northern Borneo, through collaboration with the Sabah Government. Their work provides an exemplary demonstration of how innovative, collaborative science supports biodiversity conservation at scale. We are extremely proud of the team’s achievement and their growing influence.'
MPLS Early Career Public Engagement with Research: Shubham Kulkarni (Department of Physics)
Building a sustainable astronomy engagement community through student-led stargazing
During his DPhil, Shubham Kulkarni has expanded opportunities for astronomy engagement by developing an inclusive programme of stargazing events and hands-on activities for students and members of the public.
He has led more than 70 astronomy events, reaching nearly 1,500 participants, while re-establishing the Oxford University Space and Astronomy Society and creating a regular programme of weekly activities. Through live telescope observations and volunteer training, he has established a sustainable community that continues to introduce new audiences to astronomy and the research taking place within the Department of Physics.
Professor Andrew Boothroyd said: 'Shubham has made an outstanding contribution through his revival of the Oxford University Space and Astronomy Society. Alongside his DPhil studies, he has built an active community across undergraduate and postgraduate students, delivering a range of events, and creating opportunities to connect the experience of observing the night sky with the research taking place within the Oxford Physics Department.'