Moredun is very proud to announce that Professor Willie Donachie, former Managing Director of Moredun Scientific and past Deputy Director of Moredun Research Institute, has been awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours for services to animal and veterinary biosciences.
Throughout his 36 years at Moredun, Professor Donachie made a major contribution to the veterinary and scientific community, in particular his research on bacterial respiratory diseases of livestock which led to the development of highly successful commercial vaccines to help protect livestock against infection with Pasteurella bacteria. Professor Donachie was also an active member of the Veterinary Advisory Committee of the Horserace Betting Levy Board from 2004-2014, where he served as chair from 2007. Following his retirement from Moredun, Willie is still actively involved in promoting Scottish veterinary and biosciences through his roles as Secretary of the Scottish Consortium for Rural Research and a director of the Moredun Scientific Board.
Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Scientific Director of the Moredun Research Institute and Chief Executive of the Moredun Foundation, said, “On behalf of all our colleagues at Moredun may we offer our warmest congratulations to Professor Donachie on receiving this honour in recognition of his outstanding contribution to animal and veterinary biosciences. The award of the OBE is richly deserved.”
Willie graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1978 with a BSc (1st Class Hons) in Microbiology and immediately joined the staff at the Moredun Research Institute in Edinburgh, where he gained his PhD in 1984 for studies on experimental vaccines for Mannheimia haemolytica infections in ruminants. Willie was Managing Director of Moredun Scientific between 2012 and 2014, having previously been Deputy Director of Moredun Research Institute for 14 years. Willie holds Visiting Professorships at the University of Glasgow and Heriot Watt University.
Professor Donachie commented, “I am delighted to have received this honour which I accept in recognition not only of my own contribution but also for the whole Moredun Family which gave me unparalleled support during the many years I spent there.”
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NOTES FOR EDITORS
Moredun Research Institute conducts internationally recognised research on the infectious diseases of livestock, caused by important viruses, bacteria and parasites. It employs 150 scientists, vets and support staff who continue to help find solutions for major challenges to modern farming such as the consequences of a changing climate; ensuring safe and sustainable food and water supplies conserving biodiversity and finding solutions to infectious disease. Today, many of the veterinary medicines and vaccines that are routinely used on farm have either been researched, developed or tested at Moredun. More information about the work of Moredun Research Institute can be found at www.moredun.ac.uk
Moredun Scientific is a contract research organisation providing research and testing services to the animal health, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries supporting the development, registration and manufacture of veterinary and human medicines. Its Animal Health business conducts efficacy and safety studies for veterinary vaccines, therapeutics and feed additives in all species of livestock. Its Biosafety Testing services support the development and manufacture of biopharmaceuticals for human or veterinary use. More information about the work of Moredun Scientific can be found at www.moredun-scientific.com
For further information please contact:
The Moredun Communications Team
Tel: 0131 445 5111
Email: info@moredun.org.uk