Romanian doctoral students in the United Kingdom were honoured last Friday for academic excellence at the final of the Sir George Iacobescu Awards 2026, organised by the Embassy of Romania in the United Kingdom.
Opening the event, Ambassador Laura Popescu stressed the importance of supporting research and encouraged young scholars to strive for excellence without losing their ties to Romania, according to a press release.
She also thanked Sir George Iacobescu for his longstanding support of the Romanian academic community in the diaspora.
Sir George, for his part, urged participants to preserve their identity and make full use of international opportunities, saying education and perseverance can overcome any obstacle.
Awards for Excellence
Now in its second edition, the competition followed the international Three Minute Thesis model, challenging finalists to present their doctoral research in no more than three minutes in a clear and compelling manner.
The jury — made up of leading figures from international academic and professional life, including Sir George Iacobescu and Ambassador Laura Popescu — praised the high level of research and the participants’ ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, emphasising their potential social impact.
First prize went to George-Teodor Obadă, a doctoral researcher at King’s College London, who is developing artificial intelligence-based methods for personalising cardiovascular treatments.
Second prize was awarded to Teodora Popa, a doctoral researcher at UCL Institute for Women’s Health, for her work in reproductive medicine.
Strengthening the Romanian Academic Community
The event offers young Romanian researchers an opportunity to present their work and build valuable professional links, while also helping strengthen the Romanian academic community in Britain.
Sir George Iacobescu, Chief Executive of the Canary Wharf Group, is widely recognised as one of Europe’s foremost business leaders and has played a significant role in major urban regeneration initiatives. He is the sole Romanian to have been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, receiving the title of “Sir”.
Photo: Alegorical Studio
