Biographies for all current members of the Royal Society of Biology Council

Details for committee: Council

Member Name

Professor Sir Ian Boyd FRS FRSB

Member Role

President

Member Job Title

Director and Professor, Scottish Oceans Institute

Member Start Date

2022-05-18

Member End Date

2026-05-31

Short Bio

Sir Ian is currently a professor at the University of St Andrews and Chair of the UK Research Integrity Office. He was Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government on Food and the Environment from 2012-2019. As a marine and polar scientist he served as the first Director of the Scottish Oceans Institute at St Andrews. He is a board member of UKRI and co-chairs the Environment Council for Scotland with Scotland’s First Minister. In addition to being a Fellow of the RSB he is a Fellow of the Royal Society and of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Bio Last Updated

2023-07-01 11:19:49

Member Name

Mr Paul Gemmill FRSB

Member Role

Honorary Secretary

Member Job Title

Non-executive Independent Board Member and Treasurer, Research on Research Institute

Member Start Date

2025-05-21

Member End Date

2030-05-20

Short Bio

Paul Gemmill retired from UK Research and Innovation in 2023 where amongst other roles he was Chief Operating Officer of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and a board member of The Pirbright Institute, a world leading centre of excellence in research and surveillance of virus diseases of farm animals and viruses that spread from animals to human. At BBSRC, Paul led for the UK Research Councils on the 2015 UK Government Spending Review, helping to secure the £1.5Bn Global Challenges Research Fund. He is an independent Director and Treasurer of the Research on Research Institute and a member of BBSRC’s EDI Expert Advisory Group, having previously served on the Board of ORCID until early 2024, where latterly he was chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Bio Last Updated

2025-05-22 08:55:09

Member Name

Dr Louise Leong FRSB

Member Role

Honorary Treasurer

Member Job Title

Independent Life Science Executive

Member Start Date

2023-05-10

Member End Date

2027-05-31

Short Bio

Dr Leong is a life science professional specialising in R&D policy, strategy, funding, and public affairs. Her cross-sector career spans academia, private foundation, and industry. Before joining AstraZeneca in October 2014 as Director Science Relations Europe based in Global Corporate Affairs, Louise was director of R&D Policy and on the senior leadership team at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. Louise has collaborated with the RSB and its predecessor the Bioscience Federation for some years, forming a life science alliance on EU public affairs and serving on the Employer Advisory Group.

Bio Last Updated

2023-07-01 11:20:52

Member Name

Ms Jennifer Crosk MRSB

Member Role

Minutes

Member Job Title

Executive Assistant, Royal Society of Biology

Member Start Date

2011-03-01

Member Name

Professor Sara Louise Cosby FRSB

Member Role

College of Individual Members (Chair)

Member Job Title

Chair of Microbiology

Member Start Date

2024-05-08

Member End Date

2028-05-31

Short Bio

Professor Sara Louise Cosby is head of virology at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute in Belfast and an honorary/emeritus Professor in the Wellcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, in the School of Medicine Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences (MDBMS), Queen's University Belfast. She previously held the Chair of Microbiology in the School of MDBMS. Louise's research has focused on elucidation of pathogenic mechanisms of measles virus, the closely related veterinary morbilliviruses and more recently human and bovine respiratory syncytial and corona viruses. Among many roles, Louise is currently on the Science Advisory Board of the Animal and Plant Health Agency, UK and represents the RSB Northern Ireland branch on the All Party Group on STEM Committee at Stormont.

Bio Last Updated

2023-07-01 11:24:27

Member Name

Mrs Lucy Hudson MRSB

Member Role

College of Individual Members

Member Website

https://www.york.ac.uk/about/departments/sciences/people/

Member Job Title

Head of Technical Operations (Depts.), University of York

Member Start Date

2025-05-21

Member End Date

2029-05-20

Short Bio

Lucy is the technical manager for the Department of Biology at the University of York, where she has worked for nearly 30 years. She manages the technical support, services, and facilities for more than 1,100 undergraduates, 150 researchers, 70 academics and 300 staff, of which 90 are technicians. Throughout her career, Lucy has been an advocate for improving career development opportunities for technicians in higher education. She is also an external advisor for the National Technician Development Centre (NTDC), working with other higher education institutes, advising on technical job roles, structures, and career pathways. Lucy's aim as a trustee is to reach out and strengthen connections between the RSB and the national technical community.

Bio Last Updated

2023-07-01 11:23:12

Member Name

Mr Alastair Land FRSB

Member Role

College of Individual Members

Member Job Title

Head Master, Harrow School

Member Start Date

2024-05-08

Member End Date

2028-05-31

Short Bio

A lifelong biologist from childhood back garden to teaching laboratory, a graduate of Natural Sciences and classroom teacher of biology since 1994. Having worked in four schools and having been a trustee of the Linnean Society and Zoological Society of London, I am determined to bring these experiences to the service of the Royal Society of Biology.

Bio Last Updated

2024-05-08 13:34:41

Member Name

Dr Jacqui Piner CBiol FRSB

Member Role

College of Individual Members

Member Job Title

Retired

Member Start Date

2023-05-15

Member End Date

2027-05-31

Short Bio

Jacqui retired in 2022 after a career at GlaxoSmithKline mainly working as a toxicologist and safety scientist in the research and development of new medicines. Jacqui is committed to increasing engagement between industry, academia and other sectors, and shares her professional experience via a visiting senior lecturer position at King’s College London in Pharmaceutical Sciences. She promotes the value of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and supports RSBs commitments to embed EDI strategies across the organisation and activities.

Bio Last Updated

2023-10-30 11:31:13

Member Name

Emeritus Professor Patricia Kuwabara FRSB

Member Role

College of Organisational Members (Chair)

Member Job Title

Professor of Genomics (held in Biochemistry), University of Bristol

Member Start Date

2022-05-18

Member End Date

2026-05-29

Short Bio

Patricia is currently Professor of Genomics at the University of Bristol, where she previously served as Graduate Dean in the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences. Her research has focused on the genetics, developmental biology and biochemistry of sex determination and signal transduction pathways using the model organism C. elegans. She has previously served as Honorary Secretary of the Genetics Society. She is a strong supporter of diversity and equality and student voice in education, and believes that it is essential to develop and enhance the skills and training opportunities available to undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Bio Last Updated

2023-07-01 11:27:23

Member Name

Professor Tim Coulson FRSB

Member Role

College of Organisational Members

Member Website

https://sites.google.com/view/oue2d/home

Member Job Title

Professor of Zoology, University of Oxford

Member Start Date

2025-05-21

Member End Date

2029-05-20

Short Bio

Tim Coulson is Professor of Zoology at the University of Oxford, and up until October 2024 was joint head of the Department of Biology. He has played a significant leadership role within Oxford, having been an elected member of Council and Deputy Chair of the University’s Finance committee. During his tenure as Head of Biology, and before that as Head of Zoology, he led in securing Biology’s legacy at Oxford by overseeing the launch of a new Biology course, merging Plant Science and Zoology to form Biology, and in persuading the university to invest £200M in a state of the art new building for the departments of Biology and Experimental Psychology. His research focuses on the ecological and evolutionary consequences of altering predator numbers in ecosystems, and he is also a populariser of science. His book “The Universal History of Us: A 13.8 billion year tale from the Big Bang to you” published by Penguin in 2024.

Bio Last Updated

2025-05-22 09:10:55

Member Name

Professor Kalai Mathee FRSB

Member Role

College of Organisational Members

Member Job Title

Director, Lifetime Omics

Member Start Date

2025-05-21

Member End Date

2029-05-20

Short Bio

I have served the Journal of Medical Microbiology in various capacities since 2001, advancing from a reviewer to editorial board member to becoming co-editor-in-Chief (2017-2022). We increased our global footprint immensely. I joined the prokaryotic division to strengthen the Journals' involvement in the annual conferences, which led to my election as the chair (2024-2025) of the scientific conference panel. Working collaboratively with division members and Society staff, we have rebranded the conference agenda to reflect emerging research trends while ensuring sustainability. I also assumed the role of Co-Chair (2024-2025) of the Building Communities Committee. My commitment to the Society's success led me to become the elected member of the Board of Council Members and Trustees in 2024. As Council-member-elect, I spent a month in the London Society Office in 2023 to better understand the Society's operations. My long-term engagement in publishing, governance experience, and demonstrated commitment to sustainability positions and global outlook have given me valuable insights into the Society's operations and strategic needs. As a trustee, I hope to ensure we stay on the path of sustainability, make decisions that benefit the scientific community and ensure that the Society remains relevant in the everchanging scientific landscape.

Bio Last Updated

2025-05-22 09:09:21

Member Name

Dr Helen Watson

Member Role

College of Organisational Members

Member Job Title

Associate Professor of Bioscience Education, University of Plymouth

Member Start Date

2024-05-08

Member End Date

2028-05-31

Short Bio

I am an education focused academic with an interest in bioscience and skills education research. In November 2023 I achieved the status of Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA). My background is in biochemistry. My current research is focused on how best to integrate transferable skills into the curriculum, across higher education. I also have a strong interest in EDI, particularly in how higher education institutions can make positive, tangible changes to culture regarding EDI. Externally I recently chaired a review of the QAA Biosciences Subject Benchmark Statement, which has now been published on the QAA website. Until the end of 2023, I chaired the Biochemical Society's Education, Training and Public Engagement committee. I also am a panelist for Advance HE's Athena Swan charters and a member of the Royal Society of Biology Curriculum Committee. At the University of Plymouth I am Associate Head of School for Education and Student Experience and lead teaching and learning in the Medical School. I recently chaired the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science Athena Swan self-assessment team (SAT) through a successful Silver Athena Swan application, awarded by Advance HE in March 2022. I currently co-chair the University Athena Swan SAT and was successful in achieving a Silver institutional award with this group in March 2024.

Bio Last Updated

2024-05-02 08:55:00

Member Name

Mr Neil Burton

Member Role

Trustee - Council Appointed

Member Job Title

Partner for Mills & Reeve LLP

Member Start Date

2023-05-11

Member End Date

2027-05-31

Short Bio

Neil is a charities, governance and commercial lawyer and heads up the charity sector group at Mills & Reeve LLP. As lead partner & external counsel to a number of significant charities and universities he has helped them deliver some ambitious and challenging projects both in the UK and internationally. Neil has also undertaken a number of secondments including to legal firms in India, China and the Middle East and to provide cover for General Counsel at major charities.

Bio Last Updated

2023-07-01 11:28:39

Member Name

Professor Jeremy Pritchard FRSB

Member Role

Trustee - Council Appointed

Member Website

http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/biosciences/staff/profile.aspx?ReferenceId=9728

Member Job Title

Professor of Life Sciences Education and a director of BIFoR, University of Birmingham

Member Start Date

2025-05-21

Member End Date

2029-05-20

Short Bio

I am Professor of Life Sciences Education at the University of Birmingham and was the former Director of Education or the College of Life and Environmental Sciences (LES) 2016-2024. My research career started with roots in Wales and focused on aphids in Birmingham with stops in the USA, New Zealand and Europe in between. I started looking at single cells under the ground and now as director of Education for the BIFoR FACE I look at whole oak trees in their ecosystems under elevated CO2. My teaching spans field ecology through to plant functional genomics, I’m particularly interested in Darwin and the wider evolutionary context. I previously chaired the Royal Society of Biology curriculum committee and I'm increasingly obsessed with blended learning and authentic/inclusive assessment. To support recruitment and transition from schools to HE I develop resources to help teachers and learners at all levels, for example this virtual visit to the BIFoR FACE experiment https://canvas.bham.ac.uk/courses/52405/pages/welcome

Bio Last Updated

2024-11-14 09:41:23

Member Name

Professor Stefan Przyborski FRSB

Member Role

Trustee - Council Appointed

Member Job Title

Professor, Durham University

Member Start Date

2020-05-06

Member End Date

2028-05-31

Short Bio

Stefan is a professor of cell technology and has been a principal investigator at Durham University since 2000. His training and background is in animal cell biology with specific interests in anatomy, tissue biology, cell differentiation and stem cells. Stefan is also an entrepreneur, having successfully developed and fully commercialised market-leading technology to improve cultured cells. He continues to work closely with the private sector through collaborations with industry and consultancy. Stefan brings plenty of trusteeship experience and leadership to Council, having contributed significant volunteer time as President of the Anatomical Society, Treasurer of the British Neuroscience Association, as well as being Chair on multiple BBSRC and UKRI funding panels, evaluating scientific quality through the REF panel, and acting as a Board member of the NC3Rs.

Bio Last Updated

2023-07-01 11:25:56

Member Name

Professor Dame Melanie Welham DBE FRSB

Member Role

Trustee - Council Appointed

Member Start Date

2023-09-01

Member End Date

2027-08-31

Short Bio

Melanie served as Executive Chair of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), between April 2018 - June 2023, having been interim Chief Executive for two years prior to this. At BBSRC she was responsible for £420M annual public investment in bioscience research, training and infrastructures at UK Universities and Institutes. Melanie is a graduate of Imperial College (Biochemistry). She completed her PhD at University College London and spent six years as a post-doctoral researcher at The University of British Columbia, Canada. On returning to the U.K. she established an independent research group at the University of Bath, focussed on molecular signalling and stem cell science, becoming the first female professor in her department. At UKRI, alongside leadership of BBSRC, Melanie held pan-disciplinary responsibilities including delivery of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund and more latterly was the UKRI Executive Champion for People, Culture and Talent, overseeing development and publication of the organisation’s first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy. She also served as a Member of the Board of Trustees of the international Human Frontiers Science Program Organisation and the Governing Board for Science Europe. Melanie was awarded a DBE for her services to bioscience in the 2023 King’s birthday Honours list.

Bio Last Updated

2023-09-11 17:47:33

Member Name

Dr Mark Downs CBiol CSci FRSB

Member Role

Observer

Member Job Title

Chief Executive, Royal Society of Biology

Member Start Date

2009-11-02

Member Name

Mr Mark Leach MRSB

Member Role

Observer

Member Job Title

Director, Royal Society of Biology

Member Start Date

2020-03-02

Member Name

Dr Arianne Matlin MRSB

Member Role

Observer

Member Job Title

Director of Policy & Publications, Royal Society of Biology

Member Start Date

2022-07-04

Member Name

Ms Susie Rabin MRSB

Member Role

Observer

Member Job Title

Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Royal Society of Biology

Member Start Date

2022-05-09

Member Name

Mr Paul Trimmer MRSB

Member Role

Observer

Member Job Title

Director, Royal Society of Biology

Member Start Date

2020-03-02