Professor Paul Birch elected RSE Fellow

"He leads by example in doing high quality innovative basic science that makes a difference to controlling globally important crop pathogens.

Leading plant pathologist Professor Paul Birch of the James Hutton Institute and University of Dundee has received the honour of being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) has announced 56 new UK and International Fellows in 2016 to add to its 1600-strong Fellowship. Fellows are elected following a rigorous examination of their achievements in their relevant fields.

On the announcement, Professor Birch said: “I am very proud and honoured to be elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This recognition is a reflection of the very talented and motivated team of people I work with from both the University and the Institute.”

President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, commented: “It is fantastic to welcome such a range of outstanding individuals to the Fellowship. Each newly elected Fellow has been nominated on their notable and extensive achievements. In joining the Fellowship, they will strengthen the RSE’s capacity to advance excellence across all areas of public life; both in Scotland and further afield.”

Professor Colin Campbell, Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute, congratulated Professor Birch.

"I am delighted to hear Paul is to receive this richly-deserved honour. He is an excellent scientist who not only leads in his field but is a great champion, communicator and mentor of young scientists.

"He leads by example in doing high quality innovative basic science that makes a difference to controlling globally important crop pathogens."

The RSE's mission is the advancement of learning and useful knowledge and since its establishment in 1783, it has made a major contribution to Scottish society through its Fellows. It is unique in Britain and distinctive internationally in the breadth of its Fellowship, which ranges across the sciences, medicine, engineering, the social sciences, arts, humanities, business and public service.

Amongst the wide range of activities it provides are independent advice to Government and Parliament, research and enterprise Fellowships, education programmes for young people, and conferences and events aimed at both public engagement and specialists.

Notes to editors

Paul Birch is Professor of Plant Pathology and Deputy Head of the Division of Plant Sciences of the University of Dundee, co-located at the James Hutton Institute in Invergowrie, near Dundee. His plant pathology research specialises in studying the ‘effector’ proteins that are translocated inside the pathogen host cell, the mechanisms by which they are delivered and the means by which they are regulated in Phytophthora infestans, the pathogen responsible for potato late blight.

A full list of the new RSE Fellows can be found on the RSE News press release.