The Queen Announces Regius Professorship for University of Dundee

Published

30th January 2013

Professor Mike Ferguson named first Regius Professor in Life Sciences at Dundee.

The UK Government has announced that the College of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee is among twelve outstanding university departments to have a prestigious title of Regius Professor bestowed upon it by The Queen to mark the Diamond Jubilee.

Professor Pete Downes, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee, said, 'I am delighted by today's announcement. The award of a Regius Professorship to Dundee is a tremendous affirmation of our world-class standing in Life Sciences.

'I am equally delighted to announce that the first Regius Professor in Life Sciences at the University of Dundee will be Professor Mike Ferguson CBE, FRS, FRSE.'

Professor Mike Ferguson is Dean of Research in the College of Life Sciences at Dundee and has dedicated his research to studying the biochemistry of parasites that cause human tropical diseases and is a world-renowned expert in his field.

He has been instrumental in establishing the Drug Discovery Unit at Dundee and the new Centre for Translational and Interdisciplinary Research. He is a member of the Wellcome Trust Board of Governors.

A Regius Professorship is a rare privilege, with only two created in the past century. It is a reflection of the exceptionally high quality of teaching and research at an institution. Each institution will assign the title to an existing Professor at the chosen Department or will appoint a new Professor to take the Chair and hold the title.

The Queen will bestow the awards after taking advice from Ministers, who were in turn advised by a panel of eminent academics led by Sir Graeme Davies, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of London.

Find out more about University of Dundee here.

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