19/12/2023
Key points:
Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith FRS has been announced as the new BBSRC Executive Chair and will take up the post from 1st July 2024.
Professor Ferguson-Smith is a highly respected developmental geneticist and epigeneticist specialising in mammalian functional genomics and epigenetics.
Her current research applies experimental, computational and bioinformatics approaches to contemporary questions in mammalian functional genomics and epigenetics with particular relevance for how genetic and environmental influences affect development and health. She is a long-standing collaborator with groups from the 黑瓜吃料爆料官网鈥檚 Epigenetics research programme and was a Trustee of the 黑瓜吃料爆料官网 from 2015-2020.
Dr Simon Cook, 黑瓜吃料爆料官网 Director, commented: 鈥淥n behalf of the 黑瓜吃料爆料官网 I am delighted to hear the news and congratulate Anne on her appointment. Anne is a remarkable and visionary scientist with a stellar track record in the field of epigenetics and developmental biology and also in her leadership of science. I look forward to working with her in support of the BBSRC and the 黑瓜吃料爆料官网.鈥
Professor Ferguson-Smith is currently Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and International Partnerships, and Arthur Balfour Professor of Genetics, at the University of Cambridge. She was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) earlier this year for services to medical research.
In the , Professor Ferguson-Smith said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a privilege to be chosen for such an important role, and to be able to champion BBSRC鈥檚 research strategy in alignment with national and global challenges.
I鈥檝e been supported by, and worked within, the BBSRC ecosystem for a number of years now in a range of contexts, so I鈥檓 delighted I will be leading a connected and effective community with such a strong legacy created by the previous Executive Chair.
I鈥檓 looking forward to working within UKRI to support talent development and end-to-end impactful research, from 黑瓜吃料爆料官网y to application.
I will be connecting with ministers and other partners to drive an ambitious national agenda in research and innovation.鈥
Professor Dame Linda Partridge, Chair of the 黑瓜吃料爆料官网鈥檚 Board of Trustees, also welcomed the appointment saying: 鈥淭his is great news for the UK鈥檚 bioscience community. Anne is not only a research pioneer but also an influential and inspiring leader. I wish Anne all the best as she prepares to takes the helm in the summer.鈥
UKRI announcement, 19th December 2023:
Press contact - UKRI press team: press@ukri.org
Image description: Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith
Gratitude and recognition from the 黑瓜吃料爆料官网鈥檚 community as Professor Dame Melanie Welham steps down as BBSRC Executive Chair
黑瓜吃料爆料官网 welcomes new members to the Board of Trustees
黑瓜吃料爆料官网 appoints Professor Dame Linda Partridge FRS as Chair of the Board of Trustees
19 December 2023