Press release
Dundee academics elected Fellows of the RSE
Published on 22 March 2022
A trio of University of Dundee academics are among the newest Fellows elected to the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE)
A trio of University of Dundee academics are among the newest Fellows elected to the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE)
The RSE is Scotland’s national academy, focused on delivering its mission of ‘knowledge made useful’. Fellows are elected in recognition of their impact in improving the world around them.
The new Fellows from the University are:
- Professor Inke Näthke – Professor of Epithelial Biology, Associate Dean for Professional Culture for School of Life Sciences (image above)
- Professor Ewan Pearson – Professor of Diabetic Medicine, School of Medicine
- Professor Dame Carrie MacEwen – Honorary Professor of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine
Professor Iain Gillespie, Principal & Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee, said, “This is a richly deserved honour for three people who have made a great impact in their respective fields.
“They have all contributed greatly to our University’s mission to transform lives through the creation, sharing and application of knowledge.”
The new Dundee Fellows are among 80 names from the arts, business, public service, and civil society as well as academia from Scotland and beyond honoured by the RSE. They will be joining the RSE’s current Fellowship of around 1,700 Fellows, who are recognised as being some of the greatest thinkers, researchers and practitioners working in or with Scotland today.
Professor Sir John Ball, President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, said, “It is a privilege to be able to welcome our new Fellows, and we are inspired by the breadth of talent and experience in our Fellowship. Every single individual elected this year has shown exceptional levels of expertise and insight in their chosen field, and their input helps RSE effect real and lasting change in Scotland’s society.
“We look forward to working with our diverse Fellowship who provide a crucial link between the world of academic research and practice with government, business and civil society”.
Further information on the new RSE Fellows from the University of Dundee:
After obtaining her PhD at the University of California, San Franciso, Professor Näthke completed postdoctoral work at Stanford and Harvard University. She joined Dundee in 1998, and holds the title of Professor of Epithelial Biology.
Her research aims to understand the earliest changes accompanying tumour formation and inflammation in the intestinal tract, focussing on functions of the Adenomatous Polyposis Coli protein with the goal to develop improved diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Her experimental approaches operate at scales from molecules to tissue. They include biological, physical, and mathematical methods. Her leadership in improving research culture reflects her deep commitment to improving diversity and inclusion and the recognition that only diverse, inclusive research communities deliver the best for society.
Professor Näthke said, “Being elected a fellow of the RSE is an immense honour and I would like to express my gratitude to the many people who have worked with me over the years and whose contribution have supported me and our science. I very much look forward to contributing to the RSE and its activities.”
Ewan Pearson is a Professor of Diabetic Medicine at the University and Head of Division for Population Health and Genomics in the School of Medicine. He is also Visiting Professor at the University of Edinburgh, Guest Professor at University of Lund and Honorary Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.
His research focuses on how people with diabetes differ from each other in their clinical characteristics and their genetics, and how this difference impacts on how drugs work and the long-term outcomes of their diabetes. This will enable a more precise management and better care for people with diabetes.
Professor Pearson said, “I am delighted to be made a Fellow of the RSE, and to have our pioneering work on diabetes at Dundee recognised in this way.”
Professor Dame Carrie MacEwen
Carrie MacEwen is a consultant ophthalmologist at Ninewells Hospital and Honorary Professor of Ophthalmology at the University. She has published more than 170 papers, written or edited several textbooks and book chapters in the field of clinical ophthalmology, medical service development and medical leadership, and has delivered several named and keynote lectures.
Her main research interests are in the fields of paediatric ophthalmology, ocular trauma, ophthalmology in relation to sport and disorders of eye movements. Her work has led to changes in clinical practice.
She was made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in HM The Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2021.
Professor MacEwen said, “This is a huge honour that reflects the collaboration and support I have received from my colleagues in Dundee throughout my career.”