Best Lab Manager Award

2024 Best Lab Manager Award Winner Announced!

Congratulations to James Leatherman!

We’re thrilled to announce James Leatherman from Johns Hopkins Medicine as this year’s winner! James’s exceptional leadership has not only driven excellence in the lab but also fostered a workplace that’s environmentally conscious, supportive, and fun. 

James wins a $1000 research grant for his lab and a care package. Scroll down to find out more about the Best Lab Manager Award and view past winners.

The Award

October is Lab Manager Appreciation Month, and we’re excited to celebrate lab managers that go above and beyond the call of duty with the return of our 8th annual 'Best Lab Manager Award'.

Laboratories are at the heart of innovation, research, and scientific breakthroughs. Behind every successful lab is a dedicated manager ensuring that everything runs smoothly, safely and efficiently. This award recognizes lab managers who go above and beyond, ensuring that their teams have the resources, support, and environment they need to achieve their goals.

The Prize

The winner will receive a $/£/​​​​​​€1000 grant to support research projects within their lab and a care package.

Important Dates

1. Nomination period  |  October 7th - November 10th, 2024

Lab members can nominate their mentor during this period to win this award. When the nomination period closes, Proteintech judges will narrow down the selection and choose 5 finalists. The finalists will be announced on November 18th, 2024.

2. Public Voting Period  |  November 18th - December 1st, 2024

At this time, our 5 finalists will be announced and it will be up to you to vote for who you think deserves to be named the Best Lab Manager 2024!

3. Winner Announcement  |  December 3rd, 2024

Eligibility

• Leadership and team management: The candidate must demonstrate effective leadership, fostering a positive working environment and friendly approach.
• Operational efficiency: The candidate should display exceptional organizational and time-management skills in running day-to-day operations.
• Innovation: Ability to adopt and implement innovative practices to improve lab processes, safety, and productivity.
• Compliance with safety regulations: Must have a record of maintaining high standards of lab safety and regulatory compliance.
• Impact: Contributions to the success of lab projects, team collaboration, and overall institutional goals.

Lab Manager Hall of Fame

Congratulations to all the past winners of the Proteintech Best Lab Manager Award.

2016	2017	2018	2019
Mary Skinner, University of Michigan, US	Clare McManus, University of Manchester, UK	Kelley Brodsky, University of Colorado, US	Julien Weber, University of Zurich, Switzerland
2020	2021	2022	2023
Otto Braeunling, Heidelberg University, Germany	Patrycja Kamila Kuzma, Institute of Physical Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland	Sonja Stenmark - Umea University, Sweden	Rhona Feltzer, University of Notre Dame, US

"I am really grateful to my research group for doing this for me, the nomination as well as the support during the voting process. It is certainly a lifter of spirits in the dark winter. And to all of you working to support science out there; you are appreciated."

- Sonja Stenmark - Umea University, Sweden (2022 winner)

"Winning this award is a wonderful surprise for me and this was only possible with the best lab team, which makes our lab an enjoyable place to work"

- Otto Braeunling, Heidelberg University, Germany (2020 winner)

"Winning the Best Lab Manager Award is wonderful, and it moves me that it was made possible thanks to such wonderful team work!" 

- Julien Weber, University of Zurich, Switzerland (2019 winner)

Terms and conditions 

• Only nominators from universities and research Institutions are eligible to take part in this competition.

• Nominees must be full-time lab managers based in a university institution or research lab in the US, Canada or Europe.

• Nominees must have a minimum of 2 years of experience in lab management.

• Lab managers cannot self nominate.

• All winners agree to the use of their names and likenesses in publicity without notice or any additional compensation, except where prohibited by law. By entering this contest, the winners acknowledge that Proteintech has the right to publicize and broadcast their name, voice, and likeness, the fact that they won, and all matters incidental thereto. These activities may include the following: An interview, featuring in the Proteintech blog/website, and associated press releases.

• The deadline for entries to be submitted is November 10, 2024. Any applications submitted after this date will not be eligible. Nominators can only enter one nominee. Any further entries will not be eligible. Nominators must complete the application form in full.

• The winner will be decided by a public voting process once Proteintech Group has shortlisted the entries. The shortlist of nominees will be made at Proteintech Group’s discretion.

• The winner will be announced on the Proteintech website and social media channels on December 3rd, 2024.

• The $1000 award (or local currency equivalent) will be paid to the university laboratory or research institution to support the research of the awardee.

• The prize will not be awarded to employees of for-profit organizations (i.e. biotech or pharmacological companies).

• By submitting this application, you agree to receive information from Proteintech. Your information will never be sold or used by a third party.

• Proteintech has the right to terminate this award at any time during the process.

• Proteintech reserve the right to disqualify any nomination that does not meet the eligibility criteria or violates the terms and conditions.

• During the voting process, each participant may only vote once per day.