Professor Neil Gow, the head of the Aberdeen Fungal Group is to take the reins of the largest learned microbiological society in Europe.
Professor Gow will assume the position of President of the Microbiological Society for three years, beginning on January 1, when current President Professor Nigel Brown steps down.
Professor Gow has a strong affiliation with the Society, having joined as a PhD student in 1980. He has been a Senior Editor of the Society’s journal Microbiology, a member of Council, and Chair of the Eukaryotic Division.
Speaking of his appointment, Professor Gow said: “I am delighted and honoured to be elected President of a society that I have had a lifelong relationship with. I’m looking forward to working with old friends and new colleagues to continue to ensure that the vital science of microbiology is supported, stimulated and has a strong voice in science and medicine.”
(Video courtesy of Microbiological Society)
Professor Gow is a Wellcome Trust Senior Investigator and Director of a Wellcome Trust Strategic Award in Medical Mycology and Fungal Immunology. His research group is mainly focused on research on fungal cell wall biosynthesis and the pathogenic species of the Candida genus. He gained his undergraduate degree in Microbiology from the University of Edinburgh before undertaking a PhD at the University of Aberdeen. Previously, Neil has been President of the British Mycological Society and the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology.
Dr Peter Cotgreave, Chief Executive of the Microbiology Society, added: “I am delighted that the strong leadership shown by Nigel Brown will be followed by someone of the standing and calibre of Neil Gow. He is not just an outstanding scientist, but someone who understands how to bring people together to achieve more than they could on their own. I have absolutely no doubt that his Presidency will be good for microbiologists, good for microbiology, and good for the application of microbial science to everyday challenges in society.”