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Professor James H Naismith FRSC FRSB FRS FRSE FMedSci MAE is to become the new Head of Oxford’s Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS) Division.

James Naismith appointed as Head of MPLS

Prof Naismith, who takes over from Prof Sam Howison in October 2023, will join MPLS in September from his role as director of the Rosalind Franklin Institute.

Prof Naismith said: ‘I am excited and also humbled to take up the post of Head of Division. By applying mathematical, physical, engineering and life sciences, we can help tackle the challenges that we face in the UK and in the world – educating the next generation, prosperity with net zero, antimicrobial resistance, climate adaptation, healthy living, biodiversity, and harnessing artificial intelligence and bioengineering advances to benefit all.

‘I want to pay tribute to Professor Sam Howison, whose hard work has laid the foundations upon which all success will be built.’

Prof Howison said: ‘I am delighted to welcome Jim Naismith as the next Head of MPLS. Jim has a wonderful record of achievement to bring to our division and I am confident that, with the support of our outstanding divisional team and departments, MPLS will thrive under his leadership.'

Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, said: ‘I am thrilled that we’ve been able to secure such an outstanding scientist and leader for this key post at the University.

‘The MPLS Division is a jewel in our crown and I have every confidence that Jim Naismith will lead it with integrity and vision onto yet greater things. On behalf of all my colleagues, I warmly welcome Jim to our community and I look forward to working closely with him in the coming years.’

Read the full story on the University of Oxford website.