Edinburgh Infectious Diseases
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Professor Julie Fitzpatrick OBE appointed Chief Scientific Advisor for Scotland

Professor Fitzpatrick will take up the new advisory role with the Scottish Government on 14 June 2021.

Professor Julie Fitzpatrick is a member of Edinburgh Infectious Diseases, and the Scientific Director of Moredun Research Group and CEO of The Moredun Group, a world renowned research institute in Midlothian with expertise in livestock health and infectious diseases.

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 Julie FitzpatrickMoredun Research Group
Julie Fitzpatrick OBE
Professor Julie Fitzpatrick OBE

Professor Fitzpatrick will remain in her current positions at the Moredun Group while carrying out her role as Chief Scientific Advisor for Scotland.

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 also 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.

Ensuring science informs  the work of the Scottish Government

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. 

Ms Somerville said that the past year has highlighted just how important science is to the work of the Scottish Government.  She added:

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 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.

Sir Muir RussellChairman of Moredun Research Institute

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.

Gareth BairdChairman of the Moredun Foundation

Related links

Moredun Group

Julie Fitzpatrick

Alasdair Nisbet

Tom McNeilly