Professor Zoe Wilson will become the university’s interim Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Science, taking up her role from 12 April to 31 July 2022, succeeding Professor Kevin Shakesheff who will be joining the Open University.

Professor Wilson is currently APVC for Research & Knowledge Exchange in the Faculty of Science, leading the research and knowledge exchange strategy for the Faculty, recruitment of Anne McLaren and Nottingham research fellows, as well as responsibility for the implementation of the reopening of campus facilities following Covid-19 lockdowns.

A specialist in Plant Science, Zoe’s research focuses on the molecular genetic analysis of plant reproduction and genomic technologies to support the improvement of crops. She is an alumna of the University, holding both her PhD in Plant Science and BSc (Hons) in Botany and Microbiology from Nottingham.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West welcomed the appointment, saying:

“I am delighted to welcome Zoe to the University Executive Board and congratulate her on her success in becoming the interim Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Science. I have every confidence she will continue her immense and longstanding contribution to the University in her new role and very much look forward to working with her.”

Professor Zoe Wilson looked forward to her new role, saying:

“It is a great pleasure to take on this exciting role and to build upon the work that I have been doing as APVC for RKE for the Faculty. The Faculty has been growing strongly under Kevin’s guidance and I pay tribute to all the excellent work that he has done for the Faculty of Science and wish him well in his new position at the Open University.

“Clearly, we are currently still in a period of massive change and there will be many challenging times ahead, however by building from what we have learnt through Covid-19 and working together as a strong community I believe we can achieve an effective recovery and look forward to happier times ahead.”

Zoe has worked extensively in the international space to develop University-level collaborations particularly with Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the University of Adelaide. Her research has particularly focused on the application of traits targeting the impact of environmental stress on plant fertility and in turn crop yield, this work is aimed at delivering crop improvements to aid global food security. She leads the Nottingham BBSRC Doctoral Training programme.

Arrangements to recruit a successor for Professor Wilson as Assistant Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Science will be confirmed in due course.