Plymouth director advises on national science agenda
20 August 2010
Professor Stephen de
Mora, Chief Executive of Plymouth Marine Laboratory, has been
appointed to the prestigious Science and Innovation Strategy Board
(SISB) of the Natural Environment Research Council, which is
responsible for developing the science strategy of the Council and
giving advice on funding of new programmes and initiatives.
SISB advises on priorities for government funded environmental
science. This includes identifying and evaluating future
opportunities and challenges including research and training needs,
environmental monitoring and the exploitation of existing research
investments, thus ensuring that the science enhances the economic
well-being and quality of life in the UK and further afield.
The breadth of Prof. de Mora’s scientific expertise, which includes
analytical chemistry, pollution monitoring and assessment,
oceanography and polar science, makes him ideally placed to
contribute to the work of SISB.
Prof. de Mora said: “I am delighted to be appointed to SISB, which
has always been a hugely influential body, in these times of
financial austerity it is even more imperative to ensure that the
limited funds which are available for research are spent on the
most pressing issues in the most cost-effective manner.”
Prof. de Mora has taught chemistry, environmental science and
oceanography at universities in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and
Canada. After a 20 year career in academia, he then joined the
International Atomic Energy Agency in Monaco before returning to
the UK to take up the position at PML in 2008. Prof. de Mora also
established a successful environmental consultancy based in Canada
working for various UN bodies and the World Bank on assignments
throughout the world. He holds a degree from the University College
of Swansea and a doctorate from the University of British Columbia
in Vancouver and is an Honorary Visiting Professor in Biosciences
at the University of Exeter.
Other new appointments to SISB include Prof. Terry Burke
(University of Sheffield), Dr Catherine Duigan (Countryside Council
for Wales), Prof. Paul Rodhouse (British Antarctic Survey) and Dr
James Wharfe (Environment Agency).