The UK’s Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) has appointed a new chief scientist.
Professor Grant Stentiford will lead the organisation’s research programme, providing expert advice to government, industry and academia on the issues of climate change, biodiversity loss and food security.
“A new era of Cefas science will build upon our core expertise in support of government by enhancing the use of emerging approaches such as genomics, artificial intelligence, data science and systems thinking to offer integrated evidence,” said Professor Stentiford.
Professor Stentiford takes over from Professor Stuart Rogers who has been in post for the past ten years. He brings over 20 years of experience, leading the International Centre of Excellence in animal health, publishing more than 170 papers and advising on aquatic animal disease in both farmed and wild environments.
Defra’s chief scientific adviser, Professor Gideon Henderson welcomed Professor Stentiford to the role. “I am confident that Cefas’ science will continue to thrive under his leadership, and that the organisation will deliver critical research to enable us to tackle today’s environmental and sustainability challenges,” he said.
Next year will see the publication of a new strategy for Cefas which the organisation says will develop new partnerships in the UK and overseas to ensure a sustainable future for the marine environment.
