According to a news report Stirling, a world-class centre for marine sciences, has appointed Professor Brian Austin as the head of the Institute of Aquaculture. It is told that Professor Austin is an expert in microbiology and is ready to join from Heriot-Watt University where he is Head of the School of Life Sciences.
Professor Austin will take up his new post from July 1 and succeeds Professor Randolph Richards CBE, who will continue his research and teaching work at the Institute. It is informed that Professor Austin’s research interests focus on bacterial fish diseases, and in particular the development of disease control strategies, including vaccines, immuno-stimulants and probiotics.
Professor Austin is said to have discovered antibiotics in teak wood and sponges that could have wide-ranging applications such as preventing MRSA, stopping tooth decay and combating food poisoning. He also has an excellent track record in staff development and welfare. At Heriot-Watt, he chaired the Healthy Working Lives Working Group and won gold awards for its commitment to the health and wellbeing of its staff and students. The Institute of Aquaculture at the University of Stirling has grown steadily over the last 35 years to become the leading international centre in its field and the largest of its kind in the world.
