Sir Ian Wilmut Memorial Lecture

The Sir Ian Wilmut Memorial Lecture is an annual scientific lecture established by the Roslin Foundation to celebrate the life and legacy of Professor Sir Ian Wilmut and his remarkable contribution to science.

Sir Ian and his colleagues at the Roslin Institute pioneered the research that led to the creation of Dolly the sheep – the first mammal cloned from an adult cell. The breakthrough transformed scientific understanding of cellular development and opened new avenues of research in regenerative medicine, stem cell biology and human disease.

The Roslin Foundation has a particular connection to that legacy. Established in 2008 following the merger of the former independent Roslin Institute with the University of Edinburgh, the Foundation exists to support research, innovation and the development of future scientific leaders associated with the Roslin Institute.

The annual lecture is intended not simply to commemorate Sir Ian’s achievements, but to reflect the spirit of scientific discovery that his work represented.

Each year, we invite an internationally recognised scientist whose research is advancing our understanding of biology and is potential to improve human or animal health.

Through the lecture, we hope to celebrate outstanding science, encourage the exchange of ideas and inspire the next generation of researchers – while recognising the extraordinary scientific legacy created at Roslin.

2026 Sir Ian Wilmut Memorial Lecture

The second annual Sir Lan Wilmut Memorial Lecture will be presented by Professor Hans Clevers, Professor of Molecular Genetics at Utrecht University and a pioneer of tissue stem cell-based organoids.

Lgr5 Stem Cell-Based Organoids in Human Disease
Professor Clevers’ research in stem cells has enabled the development of mini-organs, or organoids, across a range of tissue types. These models can be combined with techniques including gene editing to study tissue development, physiology and disease.