The James Hutton Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Robert Hancock as Deputy Director of the Advanced Plant Growth Centre.
Dr Hancock has been closely involved with the development of the project since its inception, and has played a key role in developing the phenotyping platform whilst working with the UK academic community through PhenomUK. This collaboration has been in pursuit of ensuring the integration of the APGC with other UK phenotyping platforms.
As the new Deputy Director, Dr Hancock brings his expertise as a plant physiologist and biochemist with a notable track record in industry collaborative research, focussing on resource use efficiency and response to abiotic stress in crops, primarily potatoes and soft fruit. He also served as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Experimental Botany, completing a five-year appointment as a core member of BBSRC research committee B focussed on plants, microbes, food, and sustainability.
The appointment is crucial for the development of the APGC with resolution of the phenotyping centre encompassing state-of-the-art phyotyping and advanced controlled plant growth environments, nearing resolution.
The Advanced Plant Growth Centre, together with the International Barley Hub (IBH), is part of the Tay Cities Regional Deal partnership supported by £45m from the UK Government and £17m from the Scottish Government. The APGC combines five core facilities, interconnected but independent, to facilitate scientific innovation and discovery.