2024 Presidential Youth Award granted to St Cross alumna

Gulnar Abdullayeva, an alumna of St Cross College, has received the "Presidential Award 2024 for Youth" through the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan's Decree, in recognition of her outstanding achievements in the field of science. These Presidential Awards for Youth are specifically conferred upon individuals who have excelled in science, education, culture, youth policy, youth work, public and socially oriented activities, as well as innovations and entrepreneurship. 

Gulnar, in addition to her current pursuits, also received the "Young Scientist of the Year" diploma from the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences in 2023 for her significant scientific contributions. She also presented her DPhil project at an international conference in Baku, dedicated to Heydar Aliyev, where around 200 locals and 100 scientists from 30 countries participated. 

Gulnar, speaking about the award, expressed her thanks for the recognition of her contributions. 

“I am very grateful to the Islamic Development Bank for granting me the scholarship and Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies, Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan for covering the bench fees and for their tremendous support throughout my studies. I am sincerely thankful to St Cross College and the Department of Oncology for their invaluable assistance and support.” 

Since October 2019, Gulnar has been a DPhil student at Prof. Sir Walter Bodmer’s lab. There she explores cell differentiation mechanisms in colorectal cancer. Her project seeks to identify factors influencing differentiation and understand how mutations or methylation defects affect CRC. This insight will enhance treatment for mucinous and non-mucinous carcinoma. Gulnar studied BSc in Biology from Baku State University, an honorary MSc in Molecular Biology from the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies, and her DPhil in Oncology, from St Cross College, University of Oxford. 

Heartiest congratulations Gulnar!