Dundee academics elected Fellows of the RSE

The RSE, Scotland’s National Academy, elects Fellows in recognition of their impact in improving the world around them.

Nominated for their individual excellence in their respective fields are;

• Professor Lorraine van Blerk
• Professor Isla Mackenzie
• Professor Susan Wyllie

They are among a cohort of 43 new Fellows of the RSE.

Lorraine van Blerk is Vice-Principal (Research and Innovation) and Chair of Human Geography at Dundee, and Honorary Professor at The Children’s Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa.

Lorraine’s research focuses on the impacts of inequalities and sociocultural change in the lives of children and youth, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Her longitudinal research programme Growing Up on the Streets has pioneered co-produced research and knowledge exchange with homeless youth and led to their inclusion in international and national policy and practice.

She is a founding member (former chair) of the Consortium for Street Children Research Expert Forum.

Isla Mackenzie is Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, Director of MEMO Research and the Hypertension Research Centre at the University’s Faculty of Health.

She is an Honorary Consultant Physician at Ninewells Hospital and contributes to the cardiovascular risk clinical service, looking after patients with high blood pressure and lipid disorders. In 2018, she was awarded the Grahame-Smith Prize for Clinical Pharmacology by the British Pharmacological Society for outstanding contributions to research in clinical pharmacology.

Her research interests include cardiovascular disease, pharmacoepidemiology and clinical trials. Her work on decentralised clinical trials has made it easier for people to participate in clinical research, wherever they live.

Susan Wyllie is Professor of Biochemical Pharmacology at the Faculty of Life Sciences. She established her research group in 2015, focused on supporting infectious disease drug discovery through comprehensive drug target deconvolution and mechanism of action studies.

Her group utilises a broad range of genetic, biochemical and chemical proteomics approaches to identify the molecular targets of compounds with potential to treat diseases such as malaria. Such information can be vital in evolving these early compounds into effective therapies of the future. To date, the Wyllie group have played a significant role in the development of five clinical drug candidates.

RSE President Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli PRSE welcomed all the new Fellows, saying, “It is a great privilege to welcome this group of such exceptional people into the Fellowship of the RSE.

“Each of our new Fellows brings a unique background, expertise and insight to the National Academy of Scotland, and we are thrilled to have them join us.

“The challenges that face Scotland, and the world, are numerous and growing. The RSE’s diverse membership and its expertise enable us to bring multidisciplinary perspectives to a wide range of issues of significance for Scotland and the world, including some of today’s most pressing health issues.

“Today’s new Fellows from across sciences, humanities, creative arts, and the professions have demonstrated excellence in their field, and a commitment to use their knowledge for public good.

“On behalf of the Society, I congratulate them all on their tremendous achievements.”

Read the full list of new Fellows announced by the RSE.

The RSE was founded in 1783 and leverages the combined knowledge of its 1,800-strong Fellowship to tackle the most pressing issues facing society, provide independent expert advice to policymakers and inspire the next generation of innovative thinkers.