Reading professor appointed RPS Chief Scientist

A Reading professor specialising in the psychology around medication use has been appointed by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) as its Chief Scientist.

Professor Parastou Donyai, a professor of social and cognitive pharmacy, was appointed after a rigorous selection process and will be at the forefront of the Society’s mission to champion the pharmaceutical profession, support pharmacists in the media and government and help make the use of medicines safer and more effective for the public.

As well as decision-making around medication, Professor Donyai also has a longstanding interest in continuing professional development in pharmacy and is co-founder of ReMINDS Research (Reuse of Medicines through Informatics, Networks and Digital Sensors).

Professor Donyai 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.”

Professor Donyai will take up her role in June and will be at the RPS Science and Research Summit later that month.