Science – WEST | Alumni Blog

Talking AI with Prof Mark Girolami Chief Scientist at the Turing Institute

10Dec

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Talking AI with Prof Mark Girolami Chief Scientist at the Turing Institute

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) Honorary Doctorate Masterclass has given students, staff and the public an insight into the work of the Alan Turing Institute and the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI). Professor Mark Girolami, Chief Scientist at The Alan Turing Institute and UWS alumnus, delivered a masterclass at the University’s Paisley campus on Tuesday 9 December exploring the challenges related to the speed and unpredictability of AI developments. During the session, which attracted around 70 attendees, Mark spoke about his early career and taking an opportunity to undertake his PhD at University of Paisley (now UWS) after a ten-year career as a Chartered Engineer within IBM. He also spoke about his current work as Chief Scientist at The Alan Turing...

25Nov

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News

Professor Andrew Hursthouse Retires

At the end of September 2025, Professor Andrew Hursthouse retired from University of the West of Scotland after 35 years. Here, fellow academic and alumnus, Dr Iain McLellan writes a tribute to him and the impact of his environmental science work. Professor Andrew Hursthouse I had a look through my lecture notes to see when I first met Andrew and it was 24 years ago this month when I had a lecture from Dr Hursthouse on soils. Back then I didn't understand why I was listening to a lecture on soils in a first-year chemistry module. Little did I know that Andrew would become my Honours Supervisor, my PhD Supervisor, my Mentor and my friend. Graduating with a BA (Hons) in Geochemistry from University of Reading in 1986, Andrew went on to Glasgow University to complete his PhD in En...

Alumnus Named Chief Growth Officer at Dalrada

24Nov

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Alumni Stories

Alumnus Named Chief Growth Officer at Dalrada

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate has been appointed Chief Growth Officer at Dalrada Technology Group. Martin Neill, who graduated from the former University of Paisley (now UWS Paisley Campus), joins Dalrada Technology Group after a successful career in both industry and government. During a 20-year career with the UK Ministry of Defence, Martin rose to the rank of Senior Civil Servant and undertook many challenging leadership positions. Over the course of his career, he gained the unique experience of acting as a senior executive in both the British and American governments. Graduating with a BSc (Hons) degree in Physics in 1992, he started his career as a physicist, joining the Ministry of Defence to conduct electro-optical research for the British Army. As a ...

Bestselling Authors Inspire UWS Audience

28Oct

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Honorary Graduates, News

Bestselling Authors Inspire UWS Audience

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) Honorary Doctorate Masterclass has given students, staff and the public an insight into the world of historical fiction. Bestselling author Dr Marisa Haetzman delivered a masterclass at the University’s Paisley campus on Wednesday 15 October exploring her journey from medicine to literature. Dr Haetzman, who writes alongside her husband, crime author Chris Brookmyre, under the pseudonym Ambrose Parry, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by UWS in 2024 in recognition of her contributions to literature and the arts. Writing as Ambrose Parry, the pair have sold hundreds of thousands of books worldwide, with their award-winning Raven and Fisher series which captures the world of 19th-century Edinburgh, ...

Aspargo Labs Expands Global Leadership Team with the Appointment of a UWS Graduate

14Apr

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Profiles

Aspargo Labs Expands Global Leadership Team with the Appointment of a UWS Graduate

Specialty pharmaceutical company Aspargo Labs, Inc. has appointed a University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate to its international leadership team. Alumnus Dr Pallav Shah will join as Director of Regulatory Affairs, Europe, for the pharmaceutical and MedTech company, which is focused on converting the world’s most meaningful medications into liquid oral suspensions for delivery in proprietary digitally connected devices. “The addition of Dr Shah is a deliberate expansion of our global capabilities at a critical inflection point,” said Michael Demurjian, Chief Executive Officer & Chairman of Aspargo Labs. “Dr Shah’s proven regulatory expertise with complex regulatory submissions directly align with our immediate priorities: accelerating significant sales growth and commerc...

24Jan

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Profiles

Alumni interview: Linda Brooks

"Paisley was not just an education for me, it was a life experience allowing a great chance to transition to an adult capable of taking on a career in science." To celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science, on 11 February 2025, we are shining a light on an inspiring graduate who is paving the way for future generations of women and girls to succeed in the field of science and STEM. International Day of Women and Girls in Science is an annual observance adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, to promote the full and equal access and participation of females in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. In this alumni profile we hear from Biology graduate (1987) Linda Brooks who is Research Services Manager EMEA at Thermofisher Scientific. Tell us ...

Former University Staff Group Founding Members Stand Down after 25 Years

11Dec

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News

Former University Staff Group Founding Members Stand Down after 25 Years

A former staff group recently saw two of its founding members stand down after 25 years of organising lunches and get togethers for former employees of the university. The Paisley Academic Lunch Society, or PALS as it’s better known, is the name adopted by a group of retired members of staff. The group has origins going back to 1997 when a small number of former staff from the then University of Paisley, including John Wylie MBE, Professor Willie McEwan OBE, Harry Adams, George Haig and Samuel Monaghan, started to meet on a regular basis for lunch. Word spread of the retired staff group lunches and very quickly the membership grew. Most of the members of PALS were former business, engineering and science academic staff but membership was open to any former member of staff. At its pea...

Former Student Group Meet in Paisley After 45 Years

1Oct

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Alumni Stories

Former Student Group Meet in Paisley After 45 Years

The University was delighted to welcome back former science students, who all met at Paisley College of Technology (now UWS Paisley Campus) in 1975, recently for a reunion. The group travelled from Spain, London, Dundee, Bo’ness, Glasgow and the surrounding area, to see each other again for the first time in 45 years! Chemistry graduate Ken Young, whose individual visit to Paisley Campus earlier this year sparked the reunion idea, said: “We were a group of 10 or 11 students who did everything together. We always met first thing in the morning in the café next to the library (now known as the Neuk). We had lunch in the big café and we studied together in the library every afternoon. “Every Thursday afternoon one person was delegated to go to Allan’s fish and chip shop ...

Graduate and Laboratory Professional Honoured for Excellence

9Jul

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Alumni Stories

Graduate and Laboratory Professional Honoured for Excellence

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate has been named among 40 high-achieving pathologists, pathology residents, and medical laboratory professionals under age 40 in the prestigious American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) 2024 40 Under Forty list. Alumnus Prince Kenneth Homiah, who graduated from the MSc in Quality Management programme at UWS with Distinction in 2019, commented: “I'm delighted to announce that I've been honoured by the American Society for Clinical Pathology as a 40 Under Forty honouree for 2024. Thank you UWS for the knowledge and confidence you empowered me with.” ASCP’s 40 Under Forty program shines the spotlight on 40 highly accomplished pathologists, pathology residents, and laboratory professionals under age 40 who have made significant co...

Chemistry Graduate Recognised at Summer Graduation

5Jul

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Alumni Stories, Honorary Graduates, News

Chemistry Graduate Recognised at Summer Graduation

A UWS graduate and distinguished chemist, who was awarded an OBE in 2023 for her contributions to chemical sciences and inclusion in science education and communications, has been recognised as part of University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) graduations. Dr Audrey Cameron, OBE, who graduated in 1991 with a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry, was celebrated as part of a ceremony taking place at Paisley Abbey on Friday 5 July. Audrey is deaf and uses British Sign Language (BSL) and leads a range of projects to contribute to the Scottish Sensory Centre Glossary to agree new signs for science terminology. A repository of 5,000 signs for technical terms is now available, extending BSL vocabulary on technical terms and supporting access to, and communication within, science education. https://...