Li-Jun Ma, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, has been chosen as this year’s winner of the Mahoney Life Sciences Prize for her work toward mitigating the effects of a fungal pathogen that is causing the functional extinction of the bananas most commonly found in U.S. supermarkets. The Mahoney Prize comes with a $25,000 cash award.
“Scientific discoveries often begin with curiosity, and scientists are often driven by a desire to improve the world,” says Ma. “Yet the path from discovery to societal impact frequently requires a leap of faith. The Mahoney Life Science Prize boosts our confidence and strengthens our translational efforts. The connections and network this award offers will further smooth our journey to deliver meaningful benefits to society.”
“In collaboration with an expert banana research team, my laboratory is actively working to translate these findings into practical solutions,” says Ma. “We are exploring the development of novel fungicides that block nitric oxide production and accessory gene function. Additionally, we are investigating RNA interference technologies, which can silence critical fungal virulence genes, providing a more targeted and environmentally friendly control method.”