Page 48 - Eclipse - Autumn/Winter 2022
P. 48

Professor Nicola Lewis appointed

        Director of the Worldwide Influenza Centre


        at the Francis Crick Institute



                                                    icola Lewis, an internationally   pose to the human population. She will
                                                    recognised expert in influenza   maintain a part-time appointment in her
                                                    research and surveillance,   role at the RVC, as Professor in One
                                           Njoined the Francis Crick            Health Evolutionary Biology, carrying on
                                            Institute in June as the new director   key aspects of this work and to achieve
                                            of the Worldwide Influenza Centre.  greater synergy between animal and
                                                                                human influenza surveillance.
                                            Professor Lewis, an RVC alumna as
                                            well as RVC staff, joined the Francis   Upon her appointment, Professor
                                            Crick Institute in a new role as director   Lewis commented: “I am honoured to
                                            of the Worldwide Influenza Centre   be appointed to the role of Director of
                                            (WIC). The WIC plays a key role     the WIC at the Francis Crick Institute
                                            monitoring the strains of influenza virus   and am looking forward to building on
                                            in circulation and is part of the World   the outstanding reputation of the WIC
                                            Health Organisation’s global network   over many years in addressing key
                                            of affiliated laboratories and provides   challenges posed by influenza for both
                                            recommendations on which strains of   human and animal health.”
                                            flu should be included in the annual   Sir Paul Nurse, Director of the Crick, said:
                                            influenza vaccines.
                                                                                “We are absolutely delighted to welcome
                                            This new appointment further expands   Nicola, who will bring valuable experience
                                            Professor Lewis’ expertise and research   and expertise to influenza surveillance.”
                                            base which to-date has focused on
                                            investigating the ecology and evolution
                                            of influenza viruses in animal hosts
                                            and the risks that these viruses might



        Dr Debbie Guest wins the Petplan

        Charitable Trust Scientific Award 2022




                                                  he Petplan Charitable Trust   and characterised horse embryonic
                                                  Scientific Award was presented   stem cells and induced pluripotent
                                                  to Dr Debbie Guest at the     stem cells from horses, dogs and cats.
                                            TPetplan Veterinary Awards in       Her research group and collaborators
                                            Manchester in March. The Award is   are carrying out research to utilise
                                            given in recognition of an outstanding   these cells in a range of therapeutic
                                            contribution to companion animal    applications and disease models to
                                            veterinary science.                 improve companion animal health
                                                                                and welfare.
                                            Every year, the Trust invites Heads of
                                            Research in the UK veterinary schools
                                            to make nominations for the scientific
                                            award and these are scored by the
                                            Trust’s scientific committee.
                                            Debbie is a senior research fellow
                                            at the RVC, carrying out research into
                                            companion animal pluripotent stem
                                            cells. She is one of only a handful of
                                            people world-wide to have derived


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