Professor Tavaré, a Biochemist and the current Director of Research (Health & Life Sciences) at the University of Bristol, is ideally placed to lead the new faculty which will bring together the schools of Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Experimental Psychology, and Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience.
Professor Tavaré’s career began at the University of Bristol where he obtained a BSc and PhD in Biochemistry, before holding a succession of key roles including Director of Bristol’s Wolfson BioImaging Facility (formerly the MRC Cell Imaging Facility), Chair of the Bristol Proteomics Facility, Faculty Research Director for the Faculty of Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Deputy Director of the EPSRC-funded SPHERE Interdisciplinary Research Centre and Co-Director of the £5.2M Wellcome Trust-funded GW4 Clinical Academic PhD Training Programme. Professor Tavaré was the inaugural Director of the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research from 2012 -2017.
The creation of the new Faculty of Life Sciences is part of the University’s Vision and Strategy to become a life sciences destination for students, academics and research funding.
Commenting on Professor Tavaré’s appointment and the creation of the new faculty, Vice-Chancellor Professor Hugh Brady, said:
“Bristol has long been recognised as a centre of Life Sciences. The University is at the heart of that, not least because of our world-leading research and the relationships we have with the city’s specialist teaching hospitals, but also our close connection with the BBC’s Bristol-based Natural History Unit.
“The new Faculty of Life Sciences will stimulate even greater collaboration across all elements of the life sciences, from the cellular and molecular through to the social and societal, enhancing our reputation for research-rich life sciences education and teaching.
“Professor Tavaré is a world-class scientist and a natural leader. He is held in high-esteem by the research and university community and is the most natural choice to lead the new Faculty of Life Sciences and implement this vision for the University.”
Professor Tavaré said:
“It is a great honour to be appointed to such a pivotal role at the University. I look forward to working with schools to foster greater collaboration between our talented researchers, enhance the student experience and to strengthen Bristol’s position as the UK centre for Life Sciences.”