The world’s first animal-testing-free human cervix chips and a step-up in heart disease research are among Lush Prize winners for 2026.
Dr Zohreh Izadifar, from Wyss Institute of Harvard University, US, received a £50,000 fund for her project – an ‘organ-on-chip’ which uses electrical sensors to study the real-time responses of human vagina and cervix cells, without testing on mice.
Dr Adam Fellows of the Royal Veterinary College in London, UK, was also among the winners, awarded £10,000 as part of the Young Researcher Award for developing bioengineered human artery models that could transform cardiovascular research.
They are part of the 12 winning and four commended projects for Lush’s annual prize fund 2026, which were revealed at a glamorous evening event hosted at the bath bomb makers Perfume Library in Soho, London, UK.
Spanning ten countries, the winning projects were selected by an independent panel of judges and are said to represent outstanding work to end the use of animals in research, testing and education, particularly in toxicity testing.
The award ceremony was hosted by television Presenter Wendy Turner Webster, with a guest appearance from naturalist and author Christopher Packham.
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The winners share a £250,000 prize fund, which will be used to advance their respective research.
“Over the course of tonight, we will be celebrating the work of campaigners, scientists and young researchers,” said Webster in her opening comments for the event.
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