International Advisory Council of Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC) has been completely formed. It was joined by a seventh member – professor Chris Lowe from University of Cambridge (UK).
Chris Lowe is Emeritus Professor of Biotechnology at the University of Cambridge and the director of Cambridge Academy of Therapeutic Sciences. The principal focus of his research programme over the last 40 years has been the high value - low volume sectors of pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals and diagnostics. The work is characterised by not only being highly inter- and multi-disciplinary, but also covering the entire range from pure science to strategic applied science, some of which has significant commercial applications.
According to dr. Gintaras Valinčius, the Director of VU LSC, professor Chris Lowe has a rich experience in developing cooperation between science and industry and his contribution to VU LSC International Advisory Council is also important in the context of Brexit. "I think that with a help of professor Chris Lowe we will manage to keep strong bonds with universities of Cambridge, that will foster fruitful cooperation with UK universities and high-tech companies," says dr. Gintaras Valinčius.
Professor Lowe has been the driving force for the establishment of 10 Spin-out companies, and has been awarded several national and international prizes and distinctions, including the Pierce Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Affinity Chromatography (1989), the David Curnow Prize in Clinical Chemistry (1991), Schlumberger Stichting Prize (1994), Queen’s Award for Technological Achievement (1996), Silver Jubilee Medal – Chromatographic Society (2002), Henry Dale Medal and Prize: The Royal Institution (2003), Dade-Behring Award for Clinical Chemistry (2006), “Most Entrepreneurial Scientist of the UK” Award: UKSEC (2006), Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education: The Royal Anniversary Trust (2007), Officer of the British Empire (OBE): New Year Honours (2010) and BBSRC Commercial Innovator of the Year (2011). He held visiting professorships at the Universities of Bath (UK), Lund (Sweden) and the Australian National University (ANU).
Professor is a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Physics and the Royal Society of Chemistry.
VU LSC International Advisory Council is a group of persons who comply with the requirements set down to the leading scientists and (or) a partnership professor or a partnership associate professor which has been formed seeking to help VU LSC carry out world-class research and acquire a greater international recognition. VU LSC International Advisory Council was established at the end of 2017. It consists of seven members for a five-year term.
The members of VU LSC International Advisory Council are dr. Barbara Mazur (Du Pont Pioneer, Technology Acquisition Strategy Vice President; USA), Mrs. Silke Schumacher (EMBL, Deputy Director for international relations; Germany), prof. Andres Metspalu (Tartu University, Director of Estonian Genome Bank; Estonia), prof. Taina Pihlajaniemi (Vice-Rector, Oulu University; Finland), prof. Tommy Nylander (Lund University; Sweden), prof. Heinrich Leonhardt (Biozentrum Ludwig Maximilians University Munich; Germany) and prof. Chris Lowe (Cambridge Academy of Therapeutic Sciences; UK).