New Science Dean joins La Trobe
Professor Brian McGaw.
Professor Brian McGaw has been appointed Dean of the Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering at La Trobe University.
An analytical chemist, Professor McGaw was formerly Dean of Science and Technology at Deakin University for two years and, before that, Dean of Health, Life and Social Sciences at Lincoln University in the United Kingdom.
His research interests include the use of stable isotopes in clinical and metabolic studies and organic and inorganic mass spectrometry. Announcing the appointment, Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Johnson said he was delighted Professor McGaw had decided to join the University.
‘Construction of the $230 million Centre for AgriBioscience (AgriBio) at our main Melbourne campus has begun and plans for the $97 million La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science have just been unveiled.’
Crucial role in guiding new developments
He said Professor McGaw would play a crucial role in guiding the development of these new world-class research and teaching centres.
Professor McGaw said he was looking forward to joining the University at such an exciting time in its development. ‘La Trobe has an international reputation for science research. Th is has been further enhanced by the $330 million investment by the State Department of Primary Industries and the Commonwealth Education Investment Fund in the new Centre for AgriBioscience and the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science.
‘Also, the recent announcement about the funding of Future Fellows – where La Trobe achieved one of the highest success rates – was a wonderful result for the University. It is very clear that the years ahead will see enormous change in the higher education sector in Australia, Professor McGaw said.
‘I am looking forward to working with colleagues to ensure that La Trobe is known for the quality and relevance of its courses and for its commitment to innovation, flexibility and improving the student experience.’
Professor McGaw holds a BSc (Hons) in Plant Sciences from the University of Nottingham and a PhD from the School of Pharmacy, Leicester Polytechnic. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He is the author of more than 140 publications, in books, refereed journals, conference proceedings and government and industry-funded reports.