Key Summary
- Professor Robin May starts new role in September
- He brings expertise from his current role at the Food Standards Agency and a strong academic background in microbiology
- May replaces professor Isabel Oliver, who has become chief medical officer for Wales
Professor Robin May is appointed as the interim chief scientific officer with a one-year appointment at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
He will replace professor Isabel Oliver on September 22.
Professor Oliver is now appointed as the chief medical officer for Wales.
Professor May is currently the chief scientific adviser at the Food Safety Agency (FSA). He had been working with FSA since July 2020.
He plays a pivotal role at FSA by providing scientific guidance regarding food safety and standards. He looks after areas like chemical contaminant assessments, carcinogens, toxicological risks and microbiological hazards.
He was also a professor of Infectious Disease at the University of Birmingham.
Before joining FSA, he also served as the director of the Institute of Microbiology and Infection.
Professor May specialises in microbiology and infection in research, with wider experience in scientific risk assessment and developing evidence-based policies.
“I’m delighted to be joining UKHSA as interim chief scientific officer. The agency plays a vital role in protecting public health across the UK and I’m looking forward to being able to contribute to that mission during this important period,” said professor May about his new role.
“I look forward to working with the talented teams at UKHSA and supporting the agency’s invaluable work in safeguarding the nation’s health,” he added.
