Professor Julie Fitzpatrick OBE has been appointed Chief Scientific Advisor for Scotland

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Shirley-Anne Somerville has welcomed the appointment of Professor Julie Fitzpatrick as the Scottish Government’s next Chief Scientific Adviser.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, said:

“The past year has highlighted just how important science is to the work of the Scottish Government, and I’m delighted to welcome Professor Fitzpatrick as our new Chief Scientific Adviser. As CSA, Professor Fitzpatrick will play a key role in ensuring that science advice informs the Scottish Government’s work across the board, and adds value to our pandemic response.”

Professor Julie Fitzpatrick said:

“I’m very much looking forward to engaging with scientists and engineers inside government and across our science base, to hear more about their inspiring work and how new developments could impact on the work of the Scottish Government. I know that Ministers and officials recognise the value of science and I’m keen to support their work by helping them to access and use science advice and evidence across a range of policy areas.”

Professor Fitzpatrick will remain Scientific Director of the Moredun Research Institute and CEO of the Moredun Group. Ongoing activities will continue with the support of the senior managers across the companies and charities of the Group. Additional responsibilities for scientific strategy and management will be undertaken by Dr Alasdair Nisbet and Dr Tom McNeilly. Moredun Research Institute will continue to focus on internationally and nationally relevant work on animal and wildlife health, sustainable livestock production, and prevention of infectious disease to support the farming industry during the recovery from Covid 19.

Sir Muir Russell Chairman of Moredun Research Institute said, “Professor Julie Fitzpatrick has provided world class leadership to the Moredun Research Institute, marked by strong international collaborations and the delivery of diagnostics and vaccines that have made a huge difference to livestock husbandry. She has played an important leadership role in the work of the Scottish Environment, Food and Agriculture Research Institutes. Her skills and connections make her very well equipped for the role of Chief Scientific Adviser.

Gareth Baird Chairman of the Moredun Foundation said, “The whole Moredun family is delighted that Julie`s enormous contribution to animal welfare and the collaborative approach she has taken along with other Scottish Research Institutes in sharing knowledge has been recognised by Scottish Government in her appointment to this prestigious position”

Professor Fitzpatrick will start her new post of Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland on 14 June 2021.