New Science Board member appointed

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce today announced the appointment of Professor Parry Guilford to the Science Board for a term of three years.

The Science Board is responsible for or the allocation of funding used predominantly by research organisations for science, technology, research, and related activities.

“Science and innovation are major drivers of economic growth and international competitiveness,” Mr Joyce says.

“High-quality research creates economic, social and environmental benefits for New Zealand. The Science Board plays a major role in ensuring we invest in quality research that benefits New Zealand.”

Professor Guilford is the co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Pacific Edge Ltd, a biotechnology company that specialises in the discovery and commercialisation of diagnostic and prognostic technology for the detection and monitoring of cancer. He is the Principal Investigator for the Cancer Genetics Laboratory in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Otago. His specialty is research in the genetics of inherited cancer.

He holds a PhD in molecular biology from the University of Cambridge. Awarded the Sir Charles Hercus Medal for biomedical sciences and the Health Research Council’s Beaven Medal in 2014, he also received the James Cook Fellowship in 2010 and the Richard Belb Award in 2001.

Professor Guilford will replace Professor Warren Tate, whose term on the Board ends on 31 December.

For more information about the Science Board visit: http://www.msi.govt.nz/about-us/science-board/