Celebrating success
Patricia (Pat) Monaghan, Regius Professor of Zoology in the School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, has been elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of sciences. Professor Monaghan is an evolutionary ecologist whose research centres on the ecology, life histories and rates of ageing of vertebrates. Professor Monaghan is a world leader in her field, particularly focusing on the lifelong consequences of variations in the environmental conditions experienced early in life. Her work combines studies of individuals and populations with research into the underlying mechanisms at the physiological and cellular levels. This includes understanding the effects of stress exposure, growth rate and parental age on lifespan, linking this to changes in stress responsiveness, energy production and the rate of deterioration of the body. Professor Monaghan also has a long-standing interest in species conservation.
Political strategist Eddie Barnes has been announced as the new Director of the University of Glasgow’s John Smith Centre. He succeeds Professor Kezia Dugdale, who has joined the University’s Centre for Public Policy as Associate Director. The John Smith Centre was established to inspire and empower new and diverse voices to engage with and enter British politics. Eddie brings substantial political experience to the role. Currently he is director of Our Scottish Future, set up by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown to promote devolution and reform of the UK. As director, Eddie will lead on shaping and developing the centre’s ten-year anniversary celebrations during 2024, as well as focusing on its internship programmes.
New Fellows
The Royal Society of Edinburgh has announced this year’s cohort of new Fellows, and among the names are nine academics from the University, covering all four colleges.
Nominated for their individual excellence in a wide range of fields such as physics, chemistry, informatics, literature, law, social sciences, and business, they will be joining the 1,800 current Fellows of the RSE, Scotland’s National Academy.
- Professor Emma Thomson, Professor in Infectious Diseases (Virology), School of Infection & Immunity
- Professor Fiona Leverick, Professor of Criminal Law & Criminal Justice, School of Law
- Professor Jason Gill, Professor of Cardiometabolic Health, School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
- Professor Kirsteen McCue, Professor of Scottish Literature & Song Culture, School of Critical Studies
- Professor Nicole Busby, Professor of Human Rights, Equality & Justice, School of Law
- Professor Ross Forgan, Professor of Supramolecular & Materials Chemistry, School of Chemistry
- Professor Sayantan Ghosal, Adam Smith Chair in Political Economy, Adam Smith Business School
- Professor Sonja Franke-Arnold, Professor in Atom & Quantum Optics, School of Physics & Astronomy
- Professor Tom Guzik, Regius Chair of Physiology & Cardiovascular Pathobiology, School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
The Academy of Medical Sciences has announced its new Fellows for 2024, which includes two professors from UofG. Vittal Katikireddi, Professor of Public Health & Health Inequalities at the School of Health & Wellbeing and Michael Barrett, Professor of Biochemical Parasitology at the School of Infection & Immunity have been recognised for their remarkable contributions to advancing biomedical and health sciences, ground-breaking research discoveries and translating developments into benefits for patients and wider society. Professor Katikireddi’s research focuses on improving the development and application of evidence to inform public health policy. Professor Michael Barrett’s research focuses on understanding how drugs against pathogens work, and how resistance to drugs comes about.
Prestigious medals
Three University of Glasgow researchers are among eight recipients of Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) medals from institutions across Scotland. The medals recognise outstanding contribution and achievement across all academic disciplines. Professor Graeme Roy, Dean of External Engagement and Deputy Head of the College of Social Sciences, designed and led tercentenary local and international events to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Adam Smith’s birth in 2023. Professor Roy’s work has enabled broad reflection on Adam Smith’s legacy and contemporary relevance, bringing renewed international prominence to one of Scotland’s leading intellectuals. Marian Scott, Professor of Environmental Statistics in the School of Mathematics & Statistics, has transformed the application of statistical methods across different disciplines, including environmental science, radiocarbon dating, veterinary science and quantitative archaeology. Dr Hyab Yohannes, of the School of Education, provides pro-bono multilingual assistance to refugees, particularly those from the Horn of Africa. Dr Yohannes offers critical and life-saving guidance, translation, interpretation, welcome and critical information to thousands of members of the diaspora in the UK and overseas through establishing effective public engagement.