University of Exeter announces new leader for research

On 1 April Professor Nick Talbot will replace Professor Roger Kain, who has been appointed Dean and Chief Executive of the University of London’s School of Advanced Study. Professor of Geography at the University of Exeter since 1991, Professor Kain has been Deputy Vice-Chancellor since 2002.

A molecular biologist, Professor Nick Talbot joined the University of Exeter in 1993 and has been Head of Biosciences since 2005. In that time, he has established the School of Biosciences as one of the UK’s leading biosciences departments – with campuses in Exeter and Cornwall. The School was awarded research total grants worth £14m during the last year and Professor Talbot is overseeing a £25m investment in new biosciences laboratories.

Professor Talbot’s research focuses on understanding plant diseases, specifically rice blast fungus, which is estimated to destroy enough rice each year to feed more than 60 million people. He is on the editorial board of three scientific journals and has given lectures about his research all over the world.

Professor Nick Talbot said: “I am excited by the opportunity to lead research at the University of Exeter. This is a fantastic institution with world-leading research activity across the full spectrum of academic disciplines – from dramatic arts and literature to experimental sciences and engineering. We have great strength and depth and extraordinary potential among our staff. I am looking forward to the challenge of taking research at Exeter to new heights and the highest international standards of excellence.”

Research at the University of Exeter focuses on some of the most fundamental issues of the twenty-first century, from climate change to conflicts in the Middle East. To cement its position as one of the UK’s top 10 universities, Exeter is investing £80m in research in science, engineering and medicine over the next three years. University research will be given a further boost by increasing the number of academics from 650 to approaching 1,000 by 2015.