New chairman and scholarships at Moredun

The Moredun Research Institute in Edinburgh has appointed parasite expert Professor Sandy Trees as its new chairman.

Prof Trees replaces the previous chairman John Jeffrey, a Scottish farmer who has gone on to take up a position with the International Rugby Board, while the chair of the Moredun Foundation remains with former NFU Scotland president John Ross.

Prof Trees, who has produced more than 120 scientific papers on animal health issues such as neosporosis, said he was proud to be part of an “outstanding and unique institution” and looked forward to developing the institute in these challenging times.

Commenting on the appointment, the institute’s scientific director Prof Julie Fitzpatrick said: “Prof Trees will bring his scientific, leadership and political skills to the chairman’s role. He will lead a very strong and balanced board of farmers, scientists and other major stakeholders to ensure Moredun continues to deliver on animal health, food security and climate change agendas.”

In addition to the appointment of a new chairman for the research body, the Moredun Foundation has launched three scholarships to the value of £1,000 each.

The scholarships, which are now open to applications, are open to anyone over the age of 18 who is a member of the Moredun Foundation.

The foundation’s chairman, John Ross, said: “Recipients of this award will have the flexibility to use their scholarships to support travel, work experience or continued research, or a combination of all three. I feel certain that results of this award scheme will have positive results on the future health and welfare of livestock.”

• For more information visit www.moredun.org.uk/scholarship