Willie Wilson MSc, PhD

Dr. Willie Wilson, as Director SAHFOS, one of the world's most respected marine science organizations, is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Willie Wilson as its new Director from 1st September 2015. The appointment was made after an international search and selection process. A distinguished virologist, Dr. Wilson brings a wealth of experience in leading and managing research and operations. He is a former Director of the National Centre for Marine Algae and Microbiota (NCMA) at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in the United States. Dr. Wilson has also had roles as Head of Science at Plymouth Marine Laboratory and Research Fellow at the Marine Biological Association of the UK (MBA).

Dr. Wilson succeeds Professor Nicholas Owens, who has been Director at SAHFOS since 2012 and who is moving to be Director of the Scottish Association for Marine Science in Oban, Scotland. Dr. Wilson joins at an exciting time for SAHFOS. The non-profit organization has entered a fresh period of development and expansion, where the plankton research emanating from the Plymouth institute is addressing pressing global issues, such as marine pollution and human health, climate change, biodiversity, and over-fishing; influencing and shaping fishing and environmental government policy at national, European and international levels.