The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Scientist awarded £1.5m
Research: Money to help develop key technology for shellfish growers
A north-east scientist has been awarded around £1.5 million in funding in a single week giving a “major boost” to research in the region.
Christine Edwards, from Robert Gordon University’s school of pharmacy and life sciences, received the funds for her public health related projects, as part of her innovative work with microbes and industrial waste streams.
She has spent the past year on a sabbatical dedicated to advancing a number of projects in line with her focus on cyanobacterial research.
Around £1.2m was awarded to her for the development of a consortium which aims to deliver a rapid field test, so shellfish growers can protect the public health by detecting and eliminating toxins.
A further £245,000 was given to her and her colleague Professor Linda Lawton “in kind”.
Ms Edwards said: “This is an exciting, multidisciplinary project, which I believe will underpin new approaches to food and water safety well beyond this project.”
In addition Ms Edwards was also awarded an Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Scottish Bioenergy, worth £160,000.
KTPs is a UK-wide programme that has been helping businesses for the past 40 years to improve their productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that reside within the UK Knowledge Base.
Professor Donald Cairns, head of RGU’s school of pharmacy and life sciences, said: “The announcement of Christine’s two grant awards is a sizable boost to the research culture at RGU and in the north-east.”