Jennings Medal

Keith R. Jennings was best known for his pioneering work on the “collision-induced decomposition” of ions using mass spectrometry.  He held academic positions at the University of Sheffield and the University of Warwick.  He was the Chair of the British Mass Spectrometry Society twice (1969-1971 and 1986-1988) and won a number of awards, including the Thomson Medal at the International Mass Spectrometry Conference (IMSC), the American Society for Mass Spectrometry’s (ASMS) Award for Distinguished Contribution in Mass Spectrometry, the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) Field and Franklin Award for Outstanding Work in Mass Spectrometry, and the British Mass Spectrometry Society’s Aston Medal. In 1997, the BMSS elected him to become a Life Member of the society.  Whilst he was well-known for his scientific achievements, he is especially warmly remembered by former students and colleagues as someone who strongly valued people and relationships, standing out by his commitment of exceptional time and effort to the nurturing others.  He has stated in an interview and at his retirement event that he preferred to keep his group size small, such as six students, in order to be able to mentor individuals appropriately.  Due to his renowned interest in mentorship, it was decided to initiate a medal in his name to honour those who serve as exceptional mentors.

Find out more about Keith R. Jennings (https://www.bmss.org.uk/heritage/notable-names-in-british-ms/#keith-jennings)

Contents

  1. Award Criteria
  2. To make a nomination

Award Criteria

The Jennings Medal was established by the British Mass Spectrometry Society at the 211th committee meeting in 2025.  The medal is to be given to individuals working within the field of mass spectrometry who are deserving of special recognition of their exceptional contributions as mentors to staff and/or students. 

Orthogonal to other awards which recognise scientific outputs, this medal specifically recognises the dedication of those who go above and beyond the normal expectations of their role as a supervisor or colleague.  Nominations may be made for those at any stage of their career and working with mass spectrometry in academia, government, or industry.  Award of the medal should not be influenced by title, status, age, institution, scientific outputs, other awards, or group size, but by the quality of mentorship on a personal basis.  Keith Jennings made statements on different occasions about his preference for a smaller group size, in order to look after everyone appropriately.  Up to one award may be made per year.

OBJECTIVE
To honour individuals deserving of special recognition of their exceptional contributions as mentors to staff and/or students.

ELIGIBILITY
Open to scientists of any nationality who have worked with mass spectrometry in the UK. The nominee does not necessarily have to be a member of BMSS or a UK citizen.

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Full details of the criteria for the award of the Jennings Medal (as with other BMSS awards) will be posted continuously on the BMSS web site and occasionally in the Newsletter and any other media of advertisement which the committee deem appropriate.  Advertisement will be made at a date that allows members sufficient time to make nominations to the selection committee together with the current address where to submit nominations. 

NOMINATIONS
Nominations can only be made by current BMSS members, from any membership category (including those not commanding a membership fee, such as honorary members), BMSS committee members and/or the BMSS Jennings Award selection committee members. Nominations, including the requested supporting information, must be received in the BMSS administrative office by 20th April for consideration of awarding at the next annual meeting. Nominations will be kept on file and reassessed annually. Unsuccessful nominations will expire on the third anniversary of their submission.

SELECTION COMMITTEE

The selection committee will be the regular BMSS committee, or a sub-committee nominated by the BMSS committee and approved by the BMSS Chair. The BMSS Chair will usually chair the selection committee which will comprise at least six scientists and will judge the nominations for the award in line with the published criteria. The decision of this group is final. The selection committee will usually meet on the same date (May meeting) as the BMSS committee prior to the Annual Meeting.

FREQUENCY OF THE AWARD

The award is occasional with up to one per year. The Jennings Medal will not be associated with a particular year or number.

ANNOUNCEMENT AND PRESENTATION OF THE JENNINGS MEDAL

The announcement and presentation of the award will usually be made at the Annual Meeting of the BMSS. The BMSS Chair will usually make the award.

THE AWARD

A gold-plated medal carrying a portrait of Keith Jennings, together with a certificate commemorating the Award duly signed by the BMSS Chair. Recipients of the BMSS medal will automatically receive life membership of the BMSS.

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To make a nomination

JENNINGS MEDAL NOMINATION DETAILS

To honour individuals working within the field of mass spectrometry who are deserving of special recognition of their exceptional contributions as mentors to staff and/or students.  The award should be independent of title, age, stage of career, scientific outputs, and receipt of other awards.

Nominations should consist of the following documentation:

  1. One page nomination containing the following information
    • Nominee: name, affiliation and address
    • First nominator, who must be a member of the BMSS: name, email address and telephone number
    • Second nominator, who must be a member of the BMSS: name, email address and telephone number
    • Date of nomination
  2. One page description of why in your view the nominee is deserving of this award. Please include a brief description of the mentorship activities in mass spectrometry, including when and where they worked in the UK.
  3. Letter of support from first nominator
  4. Letter of support from second nominator

Nominations should reach the BMSS Administrator: admin@bmss.org.uk, before the deadline of 20th of April and will be considered for award at the following Annual Meeting. Nominations will be kept on file for consideration annually. The nomination will expire on the third anniversary of its submission date.

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