Professor Gow brings a wealth of experience to the University of Exeter

Exeter welcomes new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Impact)

The University of Exeter has welcomed one of the world’s foremost microbiologists as its new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Impact).

Professor Neil Gow FRS has joined Exeter from the University of Aberdeen, where he held the position of Co-Director for Research at the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology in the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition.

Professor Gow officially started his new role on Monday, September 3, and succeeds Professor Nick Talbot FRS, who is departing Exeter to be Executive Director of the Sainsbury Laboratory in Norwich.

Professor Gow enjoys a global reputation as one of the leading academics in his field, and brings a wealth of experience to the University of Exeter.

He is the current President of the Microbiology Society, a role he holds until 2019. A fellow of the Royal Society, he is also a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biology, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and the American Academy of Microbiologists.

As well as being the former President of the British Mycological Society and of ISHAM (the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology), Professor Gow also holds a Wellcome Trust Strategic Award and shares a recent Wellcome Trust Collaborative Award.

His research focuses on the fields of fungal biology and medical mycology (studying fungi that cause disease in humans and other organisms). His pioneering research centres on how the cell walls of these fungal pathogenic species are assembled, respond to antifungal antibiotics and are recognised by the human immune system.

Professor Gow said he was "truly delighted" to be joining the University of Exeter. He said: "The University of Exeter is one of the most dynamic and rapidly advancing universities in the UK. I am delighted and honoured to be trusted with this exciting role and look forward to working with my new colleagues in the coming months and years.”

Professor Sir Steve Smith, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, said: “Neil is an outstanding, internationally renowned scientist and experienced senior academic leader, who brings with him a wealth of expertise. Neil has articulated an exciting vision for taking forward our highly successful research and impact strategy. I am personally looking forward to working with Neil in the years ahead.”

Date: 3 September 2018