New head for science

30 November 2003

Dr Sohaila Rastan is the Wellcome Trust's new Director of Science Funding. Dr Rastan's scientific background is in mouse genetics, drug discovery and biotechnology. After doctoral research at Oxford, she was a postdoc for two years at the MRC's Clinical Research Centre in Harrow then spent 11 years as head of its Division of Comparative Medicine. Dr Rastan also spent four years with SmithKline Beecham and led a start-up biotechnology company, Ceros Ltd. She also sat on the Government's Gene Therapy Advisory Committee.

Dr Rastan takes charge of all the Wellcome Trust's biomedical funding activities, except those in technology transfer, and she is a member of the Trust's Executive Board. The Wellcome Trust is currently redeveloping its funding operations, creating six new 'funding streams'. Further details will follow.