Pictured: Professor Vince Emery, Chair of the Pirbright Institute's Board of Trustees.

Professor Vince Emery takes over the role.

The Pirbright Institute has appointed a new Chair to its Trustee Board, following the passing of Professor John Stevenson earlier this year.

It has been announced that Professor Vince Emery will be taking on the role, after three years on Pirbright's Trustee Board. 

Commenting on his appointment, Professor Emery said: “It is a great honour to have been appointed Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Pirbright Institute. 

“Having been a member of the Board for 3 years I have seen the fantastic work that the Institute does in the virology, immunology and epidemiology of animal viruses, contributing to the UK national capability, but also internationally, in applying cutting-edge research to prevent and control viral disease, protecting animals and human health and the economy.”

Professor Emery, emeritus professor of Translational Virology at the University of Surrey, has had a long and accomplished career in research. He has a particular interest in using an interdisciplinary approach to understand viral infections in immunocompromised hosts, such as transplant patients and those with HIV. 

Alongside this, Professor Emery is president of the University of Hertfordshire's branch campus hosted by the Global Academic Foundation in Egypt. He has also taken on the role of deputy director of UCL-led consortium i-sense, focusing on developing novel sensing methods for infectious diseases. 

“The Board, under my leadership, will ensure the Institute continues to go from strength to strength and remains a world leading centre of excellence in research and surveillance of farm animals and viruses that spread from animals to humans,” said Professor Emery. 

Celebrating the appointment, Professor Bryan Charleston, director of the Pirbright Institute, commented: “I look forward to working with Professor Emery and the rest of the Trustee Board to ensure the Institute continues to deliver excellent science, remain financially sustainable and operate safely as a major hazard site.”

Image (C) The Pirbright Institute