Invergowrie Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom
November 26, 2014
Dr Nigel Kerby MBE, Managing Director of Mylnefield Research Services (MRS), (pictured, left) a commercial affiliate of the James Hutton Institute, has won the Outstanding Contribution to Knowledge Exchange Award in the Interface Excellence Awards 2014, which mark successful collaborations between businesses and Scottish universities and research institutes. The Award was presented by John Swinney MSP, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth.
Specialising in crop science, plant breeding, analytical chemistry, environmental and soil sciences, Dr Kerby is a regular speaker on these topics at conferences, trade shows and symposia in Scotland, the rest of the UK and internationally.
The judges were impressed by his long-term commitment and outstanding excellence over an extended period and found it was easy to measure the significant tangible outcomes of that activity. They noted a number of other achievements by Dr Kerby which lie within the Knowledge Exchange area but are not necessarily part of his ‘day job’, including co-founding BioDundee which is a very successful brand for the region.
He was also commended for his international activities including his role as Board Director with the China Britain Business Council (CBBC) and the International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).
On receiving the award, Dr Kerby commented; “I am delighted and overwhelmed to receive such a prestigious award.”
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and the Economy, John Swinney added: “Congratulations to Dr Kerby, Managing Director of Mylnefield Research Services Ltd of Invergowrie on winning the Outstanding Contribution to Knowledge Exchange Award at the Interface Excellence Awards.
“This is a fantastic achievement and Dr Kerby has made an outstanding contribution and success to the plant and environmental sciences fields and a real impact through knowledge exchange.
“Innovation plays a vital role in driving productivity and sustainable economic growth. The Interface Awards highlight the outstanding contributions and successes of business and academic collaborations throughout Scotland.”
Scientists from the James Hutton Institute are regularly recognised for their excellence, most recently Daniel Smith as Business Leader of Tomorrow at the Knowledge Transfer Partnership Awards, and Alison Bennett, distinguished as Best Young Mycologist in Europe by the International Mycological Association.
Mylnefield Research Services is a commercial affiliate of the James Hutton Institute. It specialises in crop research, analytical services and plant breeding. From its Dundee base it licenses plant varieties worldwide. Around 50% of blackcurrants and around 15% of the raspberries grown worldwide are varieties bred by MRS at the James Hutton Institute. The company is also a leading breeder of potatoes, with varieties accounting for approximately 5% of the UK seed potato production. MRS started life in 1989 and its ownership transferred to the James Hutton Institute in 2011. The customer base of MRS ranges from local to multinational companies. www.mrsltd.com
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