The Centre for Human Specific Research has announced the appointment of Professor Valerie Speirs as Chair of its Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP).
Professor Speirs, Chair in Molecular Oncology and Co-Director of Aberdeen Cancer Centre at the University of Aberdeen, brings extensive experience and leadership in human-specific science to the role and will play a key part in shaping the Centre’s strategic direction. As Chair, she will support the Centre’s mission to advance the development and adoption of robust, human-specific biomedical research methodologies across the UK research community.
The Centre for Human Specific Research is an organisation that provides support for biomedical and drug development scientists to accelerate the delivery of human-focussed research.
The Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) brings together a diverse range of scientific expertise and plays a central role in supporting the funding of innovative research utilising human-specific approaches which focus on the use of human cell, human tissue, and human data. The Panel strengthens the quality and integrity of funding decisions by increasing consistency of application reviews, ensuring unbiased processes, and accelerating decision-making.
The SAP also plays a critical role in guiding scientific strategy, which is more important than ever as the Centre experiences significant growth and momentum and looks to expand its support for a growing community. Since the launch of the Centre, it has awarded its first round of Transition and Pilot grants, alongside two new Animal Replacement Centre (ARC) Catalyst Grants, designed to foster and maintain strategic collaborations with research groups and institutes aligned with the Centre’s mission.
The SAP will be instrumental in positioning the Centre for Human Specific Research as the go-to organisation for researchers seeking to develop, validate and adopt human-specific approaches that do not rely on animals or animal-derived biomaterials.
Professor Valerie Speirs is Chair in Molecular Oncology and Co-Director of Aberdeen Cancer Centre at the University of Aberdeen. She is one of the founders of the Breast Cancer Now Tissue Bank which collects and makes breast cancer tissue samples available for researchers across the UK and beyond. This tissue is used in her own work to develop human in vitro models to understand breast cancer biology. She co-directs the Aberdeen Cancer Centre, bringing together a team of scientists and clinicians working collaboratively to deliver patient-centred research, which aims to translate new laboratory findings into the clinic to directly improve patient outcomes.
Professor Speirs said: “I am delighted to take on the role of Chair of the Scientific Advisory Panel at such a pivotal moment for the Centre for Human Specific Research. There is a growing recognition across the scientific community of the need for human-relevant, animal-free approaches that deliver more predictive and translational outcomes. I look forward to working with the Panel and the Centre to help guide its scientific strategy and support researchers in accelerating the adoption of these methods.”
Dr Ross Dobie, Head of Science at the Centre for Human Specific Research, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Professor Speirs as Chair of our Scientific Advisory Panel. Her depth of experience and commitment to human-specific research will be invaluable as the Centre continues to expand its funding programmes, resources, and community. The SAP plays a critical role in ensuring scientific rigour, fairness and strategic focus across our work, and Professor Speirs’ leadership will help us drive meaningful change in how biomedical research is conducted.”