RPS appoints Parastou Donyai as chief scientist

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has appointed Professor Parastou Donyai as chief scientist. She will take up the role in June.

Parastou is a pharmacist with a PhD in pharmacy. She also has a postgraduate diploma in Psychological Research Methods as well as a degree in Psychology.

She is currently a professor of Social & Cognitive Pharmacy at the University of Reading and her research examines the psychology of medication use, discontinuation and decision-making processes.

Prior to this, Parastou also spent more than five years as a senior lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at Kingston University and St. George's University of London. Her longstanding research interest includes continuing professional development in pharmacy.

Commenting on her appointment, Parastou said: "It is a real privilege for me to be the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s next chief scientist.

"As a pharmacist, scientist and academic, I look forward to working with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s members and key stakeholders to uphold the value of science across the breadth of our profession."

Paul Bennett, RPS CEO, said: “I am delighted to welcome Parastou to the RPS team. As a pharmacist and member of the RPS, she has a wealth of experience across pharmaceutical sciences and different sectors of the profession and is in a great position to take forward our work on science as the underpinning discipline to pharmacy practice.

"With her academic strength, having undergraduate degrees in pharmacy and psychology, as well as her laboratory based doctorate and as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, she brings a unique and valuable set of skills to RPS.”