Top scientific honour for York...( Professor Ottoline Leyser of York's De...)

Professor Ottoline Leyser of York's Department of Biology, has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, the premier honour for scientists of Britain and the Commonwealth.

One of Professor Leysers most significant breakthroughs concerns the discovery of the Auxin receptor, the major hormone receptor in plants. Plant hormones integrate environmental, developmental, and genetic factors to regulate development. Understanding how they do this, helps us grasp the agricultural and environmental possibilities of plants.

Ottoline Leyser has worked at the University of York since 1994. She recently received a Rosalind Franklin Award from the Royal Society for an outstanding contribution to natural science engineering or technology.

"The quality of Ottolines research is outstanding and it is extremely gratifying that this has been recognised by her election to the Fellowship of the Royal Society," said head of department, Professor Dale Sanders.

"This is an honour for the Department as well as for Ottoline personally. Yorks plant research is renowned world-wide and this is further acknowledgement of the strength of the research here."

Election to the Fellowship of the Royal Society is recognised worldwide as a sign of the highest regard in science. Candidates must be proposed by at least two existing Fellows and are assessed by Sectional Committees in each major field of science.