#InternationalDayofWomenandGirlsinScience 2026

20 Years of Investing in ME Research to Discover ME:
In Pursuit of the Mechanisms and Treatment Strategies for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

International Women in Science Day

Dr Katharine Seton
Dr Katharine Seton
Ian Gibson Fellow
Dr Krishani Perera
Dr Krishani Perera
Lunanova Fellow

International Women in Science Day celebrates the achievements of women researchers worldwide and highlights the importance of equal access to scientific careers.

Invest in ME Research funds world-class biomedical research into ME, establishing pioneering fellowships including the first dedicated fellowship programme for ME research. By supporting exceptional scientists like Dr Seton and Dr Perera, we build sustainable research capacity and drive patient-centred biomedical discoveries.

Invest in ME Research Fellowships

Building biomedical research capacity in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Invest in ME Research - Ian Gibson Fellowship

Ian Gibson Fellowship

Quadram Institute & University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park

The Invest in ME Research Ian Gibson Fellowship is a postdoctoral fellowship based at the Quadram Institute and University of East Anglia, created to continue and extend biomedical research into myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) at the Norwich Research Park. It is named in memory of Dr Ian Gibson, a scientist, politician and long‑time advocate for people with ME who supported the charity’s plans for a UK/European Centre of Excellence for ME research.

Held by Dr Katharine Seton, the fellowship builds on her PhD work funded by Invest in ME Research and the University of East Anglia, ensuring continuity of expertise within the same research programme. Her research investigates how the intestinal microbiome contributes to oxidative stress in ME, how this affects immune function and immune ageing, and how microbiota replacement therapy (MRT) might reduce intestinal and systemic oxidative stress.

  • Named in honour of: Dr Ian Gibson
  • Fellow: Dr Katharine Seton
  • Focus: Microbiome, oxidative stress, immune function and immune ageing in ME
  • Type: Postdoctoral research fellowship funded by Invest in ME Research supporters
More about the Ian Gibson Fellowship Quadram announcement
Invest in ME Research - PhD Fellowship Lunanova

Invest in ME Research PhD Fellowship – Lunanova

Quadram Institute, Norwich Research Park

The Lunanova PhD Fellowship supports a dedicated doctoral student to work full‑time on biomedical research into myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), strengthening the charity’s long‑term strategy to build research capacity for this disease. It has been created with support from Lunanova and other donors to provide sustained funding for high‑quality laboratory‑based ME research within an established academic environment.

Through this fellowship, a new researcher is trained in modern biomedical techniques relevant to ME, helping to expand expertise in areas such as immunology, infection, metabolism and the gut–brain axis. The project is designed to contribute both to a better understanding of disease mechanisms and to the development of future research directions and collaborations in ME.

  • Name: Invest in ME Research PhD Fellowship – Lunanova
  • Level: 3–4 year PhD studentship
  • Focus: Biomedical investigation of ME mechanisms
  • Funded by: Luna Nova
More about the Lunanova Fellowship Quadram announcement