Sir Paul Nurse has begun his five-year term as President of the Royal Society, taking over from astrophysicist Lord Rees of Ludlow. Paul will follow in the footsteps of famous scientists such as Sir Isaac Newton and Sir Christoper Wren, who previously held this position at the world's oldest scientific academy, which has just finished celebrating its 350th anniversary. The backbone of the Society is its Fellowship, which is made up of the most eminent scientists, engineers and technologists from the UK and the Commonwealth.
Paul is a geneticist who works on what controls the division and shape of cells. He was Professor of Microbiology at the University of Oxford, CEO of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund and Cancer Research UK, and is currently President of Rockefeller University, New York. In January 2011, Paul will become UKCMRI's first Director and Chief Executive and will return to the UK permanently to take up this role as well as his position at The Royal Society.
Speaking on the BBC One Show, Paul said "The Royal Society is one of the great institutions of the United Kingdom. Its role is to promote high quality science and research throughout the country."
As president of the Royal Society, Paul will preside at meetings of the Council and will also be Chairman of the Trustees. Furthermore he will attend meetings of the Society including the Annual Meeting for the election of Fellows and Foreign Members and the Meeting on Annual Admission Day.
