RSE Honour for St Andrews Academics

Tuesday 14 February 2017

Two “outstanding” academics at the University of St Andrews have been awarded Fellowships of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE).

Stephen GillespieProfessor Stephen Gillespie (pictured right), Sir James Black Professor of Medicine, and Professor Andrew David Smith (pictured below), Professor of Organic Chemistry, are among 59 distinguished individuals elected to become Fellows of the RSE this year.

The prestigious accolade recognises expertise which supports the advancement of learning and useful knowledge in Scottish public life.

For the last 20 years Stephen Gillespie has been involved in various aspects of tuberculosis drug development and diagnostics as well as developing new rapid methods to address antibiotic resistance.

rse-smith-mainbodyProfessor Andrew David Smith’s research focuses upon the development of catalytic methods to prepare stereodefined materials from simple building blocks while advancing a comprehensive mechanistic understanding of these transformations.

Professor Gillespie and Professor Smith are joined by St Andrews alumni and honorary graduates in becoming members of Scotland’s National Academy: alumnus HRH The Duke of Cambridge, alumna Kay Redfield Jamison, and honorary graduate Bridget McConnell.

President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, commented: “Each newly elected Fellow has been nominated on their exceptional and extensive achievements; it is a great honour to welcome such a range of outstanding individuals to the Fellowship. In joining the RSE Fellowship, they will strengthen the Society’s capacity to advance excellence across all areas of public life in Scotland and further afield.”


Background

About the RSE: the Royal Society of Edinburgh is a leading educational charity which operates on an independent and non-party-political basis to provide public benefit throughout Scotland. Established by Royal Charter in 1783 by key proponents of the Scottish Enlightenment, the RSE now has around 1600 Fellows from a wide range of disciplines. The work of the RSE includes awarding research funding, leading on major inquiries, informing public policy, and delivering events across Scotland to inspire knowledge and learning.

Visit the Professors personal webpage for more information on their research background: Professor Stephen Gillespie; Professor Andrew David Smith.


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