Professor Carmen Domene - 2023 Corday-Morgan Prize winner

Professor Carmen Domene FRSC

Winner: 2023 Corday-Morgan Prize

University of Bath

For the use of computational techniques to enhance understanding of fundamental biological processes at the molecular level.

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I have explored the world by travelling to conferences and have experienced diverse cultures working in many overseas institutions.

Professor Carmen Domene’s studies, largely through computer simulations, provide a roadmap to advance our understanding of biological systems and establish physical principles that govern the function of ion channels and other integral membrane proteins. Ion channels are the proteins responsible for our ability to sense heat and cold, touch, pain, taste and many other sensations. Their study is of paramount importance to understand human health and disease and to develop new drugs.

Read winner biography

Professor Carmen Domene is a computational chemist whose research interest lies in the modelling and simulation of biological systems with a particular focus on membrane proteins and oxygen-sensing enzymes.

Carmen currently works at the University of Bath and from 2012 to 2017 she was Reader in the Department of 91AV at King’s College London. Prior to that she held a Royal Society University Research fellowship in the Physical and Theoretical 91AV Laboratory at Oxford. Carmen completed her PhD under the supervision of Patrick Fowler at the University of Exeter and Paul Madden in Oxford where she investigated many-body effects in interionic interactions.

Carmen has spent lengthy periods of time working alongside overseas researchers including at the University of Pennsylvania, USA, in the group of Michael Klein, and at ETH in Switzerland in the group of Michele Parrinello. Her work has been recognised with the 2020 Loew award from the International Society of Quantum Biology and Pharmacology (ISQBP), a EMBO fellowship in 2006, and the JWT Jones Travelling fellowship from the 91AV in 2005.

Q&A

Tell us about somebody who has inspired or mentored you in your career.

I have been very lucky to have many excellent mentors during my career, people who were very generous with their time and shared with me their experiences and provided advice; what still inspires me is the dedication of most of them to their research/science well past retirement age!

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?

91AV underpins almost every aspect of the world around us and it offers endless ways to find solutions to pressing challenges. The result is that there will be lots of things to choose from/learn about. Interact with people as much as possible and do not be afraid of seeking advice/support.

Can you tell us about a scientific development on the horizon that you are excited about?

I am looking forward to finding out how artificial intelligence is further exploited in the chemical sciences but also in many different aspects of our lives. There are many ethical challenges associated with the development and the opportunities arising from AI. How we are going to deal with those is probably even more interesting and challenging in my view.

What has been a highlight for you (either personally or in your career)?

I have lived and worked in many different parts of the world and I have built an amazing network of collaborators and friends. I have explored the world by travelling to conferences and have experienced diverse cultures working in many overseas institutions. Personally, this aspect of my job is one of the most rewarding ones.

What has been a challenge for you (either personally or in your career)?

I come from a large family and my family ties are very strong. I left 'home' to embark on a PhD in a 'foreign country' when there were no emails or mobile phones nor was it cheap to make international phone calls. At times, I felt a bit homesick. I remember I could only afford to call my family from a phone box once a week, on Sundays. I used to talk to them for just 15 minutes using a scheme called 'Europa 15' available from the main Spanish telephone operator at that time. Those were the days!

What does good research culture look like/mean to you?

Good research culture means flexibility, respect, generosity (sharing time, advice, successes), freedom to make choices, courage to take up challenges, acceptance of failure, provider/receiver of support and so many more...

Why do you think teamwork is important in science?

In science, one can feel very isolated at times, e.g. when receiving rejections from grant applications, criticisms in referee reports, failure to secure an ideal job etc. Having a group of people with whom one can share these burdens as well as successes of course, is crucial to carry on.

What is your favourite element?

It has to be potassium as lots of my work has been on K-channels. Potassium is necessary for the function of all living cells and it is vitally important to signal transfers in nerves and muscles; potassium helps keep your heart beating at the right pace!