Leading ºìÐÓÊÓƵ researcher to retire
Professor Cherry Wainwright, highly esteemed scientist and much valued colleague of The School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, is retiring after 20 glorious years leading cutting edge research at ºìÐÓÊÓƵ (ºìÐÓÊÓƵ).
has featured in Stanford University's lifelong list of top 2% scientists worldwide for two consecutive years. She is Vice President of Meetings at the British Pharmacological Society and was instrumental in organising the successful 19th World Congress of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology 2023 in Glasgow in July.
She has over 35 years’ experience in the development of modular drugs for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. She is particularly interested in the therapeutic potential of molecules isolated from natural plant sources. Throughout her time at ºìÐÓÊÓƵ, she has supervised many postgraduate students and has selflessly shared her scientific prowess, nurturing the future generation of scientists.
Graduating in 1981 with a BSc Hons in Pharmacology from the University of Aberdeen; Cherry completed her PhD in Cardiovascular Pharmacology at the University of Strathclyde in 1984 where she remained as a lecturer and reader for 22 years. She moved to ºìÐÓÊÓƵ Aberdeen 2003 and was promoted to Professor of Pharmacology, subsequently taking up her role as Director of a multi-disciplinary Institute for Health & Wellbeing Research from 2009-2015. Thereafter, she assumed directorship of the Centre for Cardiometabolic Health and was Co-director of the Centre for Natural Products in Health at ºìÐÓÊÓƵ.
Latterly, collaborating closely with and with Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Council funding, she studied anti-obesity agents in marine algae, significant in supporting Health and Wellbeing initiatives. Securing Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre funding, she also explored the potential for alkaloids from daffodil ​bulbs to be used as therapeutical medicines helping prevent heart failure, and for the foliage to be exploited for its bioactive molecules, with the intention of creating and opening up new natural product derived pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals for the future and helping wean us off petrochemicals. Maggie Chapman, Green Party MSP for North East Scotland was very impressed with The Centre's contribution to the circular economy and help creating sustainable well paid jobs in the .
Cherry has travelled extensively, giving keynote speeches at prestigious events. In December 2022 she delivered the highly esteemed Stephen Paget Memorial Lecture at the British Pharmacological Society’s Understanding Animal Research Openness Awards. This explored the value of Animal Research in understanding and preventing cardiovascular disease.
Professor Wainwright was also a keynote speaker at the Scottish Cardiovascular Forum (SCF) hosted by the Aberdeen Cardiovascular and Diabetes Centre at the University of Aberdeen earlier this year.
Cherry has led a most illustrious career at the highest echelons of the scientific world. Her groundbreaking findings are recognised and respected worldwide. We at the School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, will not only miss her expertise and counsel on scientific matters, but also her selfless nature and good humour. We look forward to working with her in her continued role of Professor Emeritus to School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences and wish her a well-earned retirement and much deserved time with family and on the golf course.
Professor Wainwright's retirement was marked by colleagues at a special presentation held on 10 August.
