Forbes names Leicester academic in list of prodigious stars changing the world

A researcher from our Department of Geology has been named to Forbes’ second annual ‘30 Under 30 Europe’ list in the Science and Healthcare Category.

Dr Victoria McCoy (pictured) has been recognised for her innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to the study of fossil biomolecules, which could extend our knowledge of fossil protein sequences by millions of years into deep time.

The ‘30 Under 30 Europe’ list features 300 young innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders across Europe who are under 30 years of age and who are transforming business, technology, finance, media, culture and more, as judged by some of the most accomplished and acclaimed individuals in each category. 

Dr McCoy, a paleontologist from the United States currently working at our University and funded by a Royal Society Newton Fellowship, is studying the preservation of proteins in feathers in amber, with high hopes to someday determine the protein sequence of an ancient dinosaur feather.

Dr McCoy said: “It is so amazing to have Forbes magazine recognise the potential in my research, and such an honour to receive this award.”

Professor Sarah Gabbott from the Department of Geology, who is the Royal Society scientific sponsor for Dr McCoy and works with her, said: “This is an incredible honour and demonstrates that Tory has already made truly significant contributions to science and I have no doubt that she will continue to do so. That Forbes has made this award to Tory will, I hope, be an inspiration to other young women in science.”