HortResearch appoints Chief Scientist

HortResearch appoints Chief Scientist

Dr Ian Ferguson has been appointed Chief Scientist at the crown research institute, HortResearch, which employs more than 500 staff throughout New Zealand.

The role, a new one for HortResearch, was set up to provide the senior executive team with an informed overview of the science activities of HortResearch and their direction. The Chief Scientist provides advice and guidance to the HortResearch executive team on matters relating to the development and conduct of the Institute's science activities. There is particular emphasis on providing an over-arching perspective of HortResearch's science across sectors, teams and sites, and on relationships with major funding agencies such as the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology.

Dr Ferguson was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand in 2000 and is a member of the Marsden Fund Council. He is also a member of the FRST Reference panels for Biotechnology.

He has worked with HortResearch and its predecessor DSIR since 1970. His previous position at HortResearch before a recent restructuring was Science Leader, Postharvest and Food Science Group based at Mt Albert. Dr Ferguson has a national and international reputation on pre and postharvest physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology of fruits.

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