Biography
Prof 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 Sports Exercise and Health Sciences. In addition to leading the School Prof Hutchison is Campus Principal for Sighthill Campus and member of the University Senior Leadership Team.
Prof Hutchison holds membership of the Scottish Council of Deans for Education, the Council of Deans for Science and Engineering Scotland and Chairs the Scottish Institute for Policing Research Board of Governance. Prof Hutchison is also currently a UK Government Scientific Advisor with membership of FSA Committee on Toxcicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and in the Environment, Defra’s Hazardous Substances Advisory Committee (HSAC); Member of Defra’s College of Scientific Experts, member of the FSA and Office for Product Safety & Standards registers of specialists and previously was a member of the NANoREG UK steering group and UK Government Nanotechnologies Strategy Forum.
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 has secured and contributed to large collaborative nanotoxicology studies such as the EU FP7 projects ENPRA, ENRHES & MARINA and is currently part of the Horizon2020 BIORIMA project. He has been supported in the past by charities (European Respiratory Society, Welcome Trust, Carnegie Trust and Nuffield Foundation), government (Knowledge Transfer Partnership, Scottish Funding Council, Defra), and industry (GlaxoSmithKline).
Prof Hutchison's broader activities include membership of the Scottish Life Sciences Association HR Specialist Interest Group; Scottish Toxicology Interest Group; British & European Society of Nanomedicine; The in vitro toxicology Society; the Edinburgh based Safety of nanomaterials Interdisciplinary Research Centre (SnIRC).
Prof Hutchison was a co-founder of the International Network of Young Researchers in Male Fertility and a member of the MRC national committee for Women in Science (2005-2007).