Meet Our Scientists
Learn more about the work and life of our scientists in a series of interviews.
Dr Lu Lu on diseases that leap from animals to humans
Tracking and predicting the spread of avian flu and other zoonotic diseases, switching career paths, and dreams of becoming an artist.
Professor Ross Fitzgerald on bacterial adaptation
Discovering how bacteria evolve and cause infection, bringing people together and juggling research and managerial responsibilities.
Dr James Glover on embryonic patterns
Understanding the fundamentals of embryonic pattern formation, receiving a Chancellor’s Fellowship from the University, and designing a multispecies study using chicken models.
Dr Laura Glendinning on studying microorganisms in poultry
Researching communities of bacteria in animals’ guts, being awarded a Chancellor’s Fellowship by the University, and advocating for equality and inclusion on campus.
Dr Pieter Steketee on studying parasites affecting livestock
Pioneering parasitology research, a BBSRC Discovery Fellowship award and dreams of a heavy metal world tour.
Dr Emily Humble on wildlife conservation and genetics
Using genetic analysis to aid in conservation management around the world, studying populations of manta rays, and polar adventures.
Dr Anthony Wood on data models of Covid-19 vaccine uptake
Developing hyper-specific data models, the boundaries between physics and epidemiology, and the freedom of being a scientist.
Dr Enrique Sanchez Molano on data analysis
Investigating genetics data, the value of maths, and supporting research careers.
James Nixon on management of farm estates
Supporting research studies from conception to application, and admiration for great team work.
Dr Joana Alves on bacterial infections
Understanding superbugs, using a board game for public engagement and cutting plastic use in labs
Professor Colin Farquharson on skeletal biology
The journey from being a first generation university student to scientist and Director of Postgraduate Research.
Dr Kellie Watson on improving poultry DNA
Using genetic code information to understand the productivity of birds and helping women in disadvantaged communities.
Dr Cristina Esteves on adult stem cells in domestic species
Understanding the biology of adult stem cells, their antimicrobial and tissue repair potential, and the importance of student supervision.
Professor Mick Watson on the livestock microbiome
The challenges of applying bioinformatics to make sense of genes, the value of networking, and the allure of funding free of politics.
Dr Tom Burdon on studying livestock in a dish
Understanding different immune responses in wild and commercial pigs, and being driven by a sense of adventure in research.
Dr James Prendergast on genetics of disease resistant cattle
The challenges of collecting data, enjoying job satisfaction, and finding inspiration in others.
Dr Sara Clohisey on patient genetics in acute illnesses
How DNA affects illness, disease life cycles and the motivation of caring for others.
Dr Simon Lillico on gene-edited livestock
Building better animal models to investigate human disease, producing healthier animals and enjoying nature.
Dr Eleanor Gaunt on respiratory viruses
Understanding the genetic code of viruses and communicating science during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Oluyinka Opoola on sustainable dairy production
Using DNA insights to help improve livelihoods in developing African countries, and breaking down stereotypes.
Dr Jeffrey Schoenebeck on dog genetics and shapes
Understanding the genetics of body forms and diseases in dogs, and unusual work in museums.
Dr Nicola Stock on public engagement with science
Developing scientific activities that appeal to a broad audience, and the dream of becoming a professional musician.
Professor Lonneke Vervelde on chicken health
Using mini organs to understand chicken immunology and vaccines, and working away from her home country.
Dr Samantha Lycett on tracking outbreaks
Understanding evolution and spread of viruses and bacteria, and contributing to tackle the pandemic.
Edith Paxton on assisting animal disease research
Supporting science experiments into a parasite that causes infection in cattle in sub-Saharan Africa, and a passion for hockey.
Professor Dan Macqueen on fish health and genetics
Understanding fish genomes and evolution, tackling viruses that infect salmon, and finding time for parenting and running.
Dr Abigail Diack on neurodegenerative diseases
Understanding how misfolded proteins can cause deadly diseases and why working at Roslin pushes you to go beyond your science.
Dr Tim Bean on oyster health
Preventing disease in species that have been around since the time of dinosaurs, and why at Roslin the world is your oyster
Dr Nicola Lynskey on disease-causing bacteria
Understanding the how one species of bacteria can be responsible for causing disease in humans, cows and fish
Dr Joe Rainger on the genetics of birth defects
From cooking for the Spice Girls, to having his own research group investigating causes of congenital diseases.
Dr Jessica Martin on farm and lab animal welfare
Improving the lives of farm animals, managing emotional challenges and working with a great team
Dr Gregor Gorjanc on breeding, even insects
Applying maths in breeding and using insects as a source of protein.
Dr Diego Robledo on disease resistance in fish
Disease resistance in salmon, its implications for fish farmers in Scotland, and not losing touch with nature.
Dr Jo Stevens on bacteria and the immune system
Investigating bacterial infections, how the immune system reacts to those and the reward of supervising students
Ruth Bekele on food product development
Championing women in science and realising a childhood dream of feeding the hungry
Dr Wude Tsega on tropical livestock production
Growing up in a farming family, visiting Roslin, and using genomic techniques to improve the productivity of tropical livestock
Professor Carl Schmidt on heat stress genetics
Using gene editing to tackle heat stress in chicken and his sabbatical at the Roslin Institute.
Professor Rowland Kao on disease transmission networks
Modelling networks of transmission to better understand the spread of diseases.
Professor Simone Meddle on hormones and animal behaviour
Birds turning down their stress responses during breeding season, rats enjoying being tickled, and time-travelling.
Professor Ross Houston on aquaculture genetics
Genetic studies for improving disease resistance in aquaculture species, his experience of working with companies and running marathons
Professor Ian Dunn on understanding poultry health and welfare
Understanding factors that influence health and development in chickens and eggs, and finding inspiration as a junior scientist.
Professor Jayne Hope on diseases of cattle
Developing new vaccines, investigating tuberculosis and integrating human and veterinary medicine.
Dr Finn Grey on the genetics of virology
The genetics of viruses and the people and animals they infect, and 42 years waiting to be part of the Scottish football team.
Dr Tim Regan on human immune cells
Using gene editing techniques to reveal information about immune cells, and sharing a life-long curiosity for science.
Dr Xavier Donadeu on stem cells and reproduction
Research for more efficient livestock production, challenges of research funding and how he became a scientist.
Professor Mark Stevens on bacterial disease
Bacterial disease in animals and people, his role as Deputy Director for Research and some of life’s professional challenges.
Dr Jacqueline Smith on the genetics of birds
Birds as models for human disease, the genetics of resistance, a paper accepted right away and her dream of being a famous Egyptologist.
Dr Fiona Houston on transmission of prion diseases
Prion diseases in animals and people, blood transfusions, commonalities with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s and her love for gardening.
Dr Gerry McLachlan on cystic fibrosis
Choosing the best model to evaluate gene therapy strategies for cystic fibrosis in humans and his dream of being Kenny Dalglish.
Dr Musa Hassan on host-pathogen interactions
Why some individuals get sick while others don’t, challenges in science, drug development, and similarities between science and law.
Professor Andrea Wilson on the genetics of disease and behaviour
Using maths in genetic research, a dream of informing breeding programmes, dealing with rejection and garden landscape.
Dr Pam Wiener on the genetics of complex traits in animals
The influence of genes in animal traits, maths for biology, the secret dream of becoming a writer and her love for science.
Positive male role models at the Institute
To celebrate International Men's Day, a number of our male scientists raise awareness and give men and children good positive role models to look up to.
Dr Emily Clark on genes with a function
The genetics of tropical adaptation, advances in genome sequencing, colourful lambs and her love of animals.
Dr Megan Davey on how embryos grow
Why we have five fingers, recreating 250 million years of evolution, Sonic Hedgehog and the wish of being a fiction writer.
Celebrating Ada Lovelace: Female computer scientists at Roslin
Computer models to investigate Salmonella, anti-inflammatories, microbes, animal health and genetic differences between men and women.
Dr Rob Ogden on conservation genetics
How genetic research helps wildlife conservation, the importance of involving communities and his dream of being a football player.
Dr Andy Law on bioinformatics
The difficulties of explaining coding best practice to biologists, applications in genetic research and a potential career as sports professional.
Dr Vicky MacRae on bone formation and calcified arteries
Similarities and differences of bone formation and calcified arteries, and the importance of a happy work environment.
Professor Helen Sang on the importance of chicken research
Insights into embryo development, genome-editing for chicken health and the importance of engaging with the public.
Dr Mark Barnett on the genetics of bees
The creation of the campus apiary and how whole genome sequencing, bioinformatics and breeding could help honey bee health.