Page 48 - Eclipse - Autumn/Winter 2022

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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