Introducing the three new Fellows elected to the Learned Society of Wales in 2023 who work in cellular, molecular, evolutionary, organismal and ecosystem sciences.
Professor Nigel Brown FLSW
Retired; Emeritus Professor of Molecular MicrobiologyUniversity of Edinburgh
Professor Brown is a molecular biologist and specialist in metal resistance in bacteria. Some of his OTHER work gained extra importance during the ‘Gulf War’ in assessing the risk that anthrax might be released as a bioweapon. His leadership roles at BBSRC and universities in Wales, England and Scotland, together with his current position on the Sêr Cymru II panel, make him an influential figure in UK science.
"I am delighted and honoured to be elected a Fellow and plan to continue to serve Welsh interests in science and education."
Professor Hazel Davey FLSW
Professor of BiologyAberystwyth University
Professor Hazel Davey researches Baker’s yeast, which is widely used in food manufacture, brewing, biotechnology and as a model organism in academic research. She has worked on projects involving many organisations outside higher education, including the United States Army in identifying microorganisms in environmental samples as part of a project to protect against biological weapons.
"It is such an honour to be elected to the Fellowship of the Learned Society of Wales and for my work with students at Aberystwyth University to be recognised externally."
Professor John Witcombe FLSW
Emeritus ProfessorBangor University
Professor Witcombe, Emeritus Professor at Bangor University, is internationally recognized for innovative plant breeding research to alleviate poverty and food scarcity in underprivileged communities. He devised a methodology that improves the efficiency of plant breeding by selecting parents with desirable traits as per the preference of farmers. This client-focused work has positively impacted over five million households in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, and has the potential to be applied elsewhere.