Professor Janet Allen FRSE, Director of the UCD Conway Institute
Professor Janet Allen FRSE, currently Director of the UCD Conway Institute, has been appointed as Director of Research at the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) .
The BBSRC is one of seven Research Councils that work together as Research Councils UK (RCUK). With a current budget of £400M, BBSRC supports a total of around 1600 scientists and 2000 research students in universities and institutes in the UK.
Professor Allen trained initially in biochemistry and medicine. In addition to her highly successful career in senior appointments in medicine and academic research, she has held research directorships in the global pharmaceutical sector with Parke Davis/Pfizer and with an innovative biotech SME, Inpharmatica. She has also established a spin-out company: Ligand Xpress Ltd.
As the new Director of Research at the BBSRC, Professor Allen will be joined at the BBSRC by Dr Celia Caulcott, who has been appointed Director for Innovation and Skills.
"Professor Allen and Dr Caulcott will bring to the BBSRC unparalleled breadth of complementary experience at the critical interface between basic bioscience and its translation, backed by strong research credentials in academia and industry,” said Steve Visscher, BBSRC Interim Chief Executive.
"These appointments reflect our progress in drawing together BBSRC’s funding of world-class research with our activities to promote its economic and social impact. The two Directors will work together within a single Science and Economic Impact grouping that will also integrate research training and career development, so that we can address coherently the needs of academia and industry."
UCD colleagues who have worked with Professor Allen during her time at the UCD Conway Institute would like to wish her every success in her new role at the BBSRC.
