Monday, 13 January 2020
Professor Kevin Shakesheff has been appointed as Chair of the Board of the National Centre for the Replacement Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs). He will help to shape the NC3Rs strategy and promote the UK’s position at the forefront of 3Rs research and development.
NC3Rs is a leading independent scientific organisation dedicated to replacing, refining and reducing the use of animals in research and testing (the 3Rs). It supports the UK science base by driving and funding innovation and technological developments that minimise the need for animals in research and testing, and lead to improvements in welfare where animals continue to be used. It funds research, supports training and development, and stimulates changes in regulations and practice. Primarily funded by Government, the NC3Rs is also supported by the charitable and private sectors. It works with scientists in universities and industry in the UK and internationally.
Kevin is Chair of the University’s Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body. He is Professor of Advanced Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering and Director of the UK Regenerative Medicine Platform Hub for Acellular Technologies. Kevin has published over 250 papers, focusing on regenerative medicine and applying tissue engineered models in vitro in drug discovery and safety profiling, technologies that are key to advancing the 3Rs.
Kevin replaces Professor Stephen Holgate CBE, University of Southampton, whose tenure as Board Chair ends after six years.
I’m very pleased to be appointed as the NC3Rs Board Chair. I remember the NC3Rs being set up 15 years ago and it has been very interesting watching it grow into an organisation that is recognised nationally and internationally for its science and impact on the 3Rs. There are an increasing number of cutting-edge technologies available with 3Rs potential and I am very much looking forward to working with the NC3Rs team and Board to champion these.
Dr Vicky Robinson CBE, NC3Rs Chief Executive, said, "I would like to take this opportunity to thank our outgoing Chair, Professor Stephen Holgate for all of his support. Stephen is a hard act to follow, but I am excited about Kevin’s appointment. Kevin has a long-standing commitment to the 3Rs and shares the NC3Rs vision of working collaboratively to deliver meaningful 3Rs impacts that benefit animals, science and industry."
The Medical Research Council (MRC) is the major core funder of the NC3Rs. Professor Fiona Watt, Executive Chair of the MRC, said, "The MRC is highly committed to the principles of the 3Rs and is proud to provide core funding for the NC3Rs. We are delighted that Kevin has been appointed as the NC3Rs Board Chair and wish him every success in helping the NC3Rs deliver its mission, and in driving forward the vital work to maintain the UK’s position as a world leader in 3Rs research and development."
Watch the video below to learn more about what Kevin plans to achieve in his tenure as NC3Rs Board Chair.
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Further information can be found at: www.nc3rs.org.uk @nc3rs.
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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