International award for fertility researcher

Dr Michail Nomikos, a biomedical researcher at the School of Medicine Institute of Molecular & Experimental Medicine has received the prestigious 2013 Investigator Achievement Award at the annual meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

Dr Nomikos, a Cardiff PhD graduate, received the accolade for his breakthrough study on a sperm protein called PLC-zeta. Dr Nomikos showed for the first time that this protein could be used in rescuing the problem of male infertility, when a man's sperm is unable to activate the female egg. Many infertile couples may eventually be able to have babies as a consequence of this remarkable scientific advance.

The sperm PLC-zeta protein was originally discovered in the Cardiff University laboratory of Professor Tony Lai. Professor Lai said: "Dr Nomikos has been an inspiration to the laboratory, working tirelessly to advance the potential application of this protein in order to benefit society's childless couples. It is assumed that the natural consequence of any couple wanting a family will be announcement of a successful pregnancy. The Nobel prize-winner, Bob Edwards has said that 'the most important thing in life is to have a child' – I believe that Michail's work will help to make this become possible for many people."

Dr Nomikos received the award at a prize-giving dinner event held at The Harvard Club in Boston, USA by the ASRM journal, Fertility and Sterility.