Biography
Professor Gary Hutchison was appointed Dean of School in August 2015.
Prof. Hutchison undertook his scientific training by completing an Honours degree in Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Stirling and went on to study an MSc in Drug Design and Biomedical Science before undertaking a PhD examining the toxicology of inhaled particles at Napier University. In 2004 he began his post-doctoral career with the Medical Research Council in the Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, where he held two posts.
Prof. Hutchison is Dean of School of Applied Sciences with responsibility for Life Sciences, Social Sciences, Psychology, Teacher Education and Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences. In addition to leading the School, Prof. Hutchison is a member of the University Senior Leadership Team, Lead for the Borderlands Region and City Deal Mountain Bike Innovation Centre project, and Chair of the University Environmental Sustainability Strategy Group.
Prof. Hutchison has been an independent scientific advisor to the UK Government for more than 10 years and currently holds membership of FSA Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment; Defra’s College of Scientific Experts; and is a member of the FSA and Office for Product Safety & Standards registers of specialists. Previous memberships include Defra’s Hazardous Substances Advisory Committee (HSAC), the NANoREG UK steering group, and UK Government Nanotechnologies Strategy Forum.
Prof. Hutchison contributes to leadership across the sector by Chairing the Scottish Institute for Policing Research Board of Governance and is Chair of the Edinburgh Exchange Initiative, and membership of the MASTS Governing Council. He is an active member of the Scottish Council of Deans for Education, leading the expert sub-committee focusing on STEM/STEAM education.
Prof. Hutchison is responsible for leading nano safety research at the University with the aim of identifying whether a variety of nano-forms can enter the human body, interact with the respiratory, immune, and reproductive systems and cause harm. Prof Hutchison was submitted to RAE 2008, REF2014 and REF2021 and has secured and contributed to large collaborative nanotoxicology studies such as the EU FP7 projects ENPRA, ENRHES & MARINA and Horizon2020 BIORIMA project.