Professor Max Crispin has been announced as the new Director for the Institute for Life Sciences (IfLS) Strategic Interdisciplinary Institute.
Max will provide strategic leadership to the Institute, overseeing its budget and developing a programme of activities that will strengthen both the University’s academic output and its ability to attract research funding, nurture enterprise activities, and support life sciences education.
Max is currently a Professor of Glycobiology with the Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences and runs the Glycoprotein Therapeutics Laboratory based within the School of Biological Sciences. He has been with the University for the past six years.
“I am delighted to have been appointed IfLS Strategic Interdisciplinary Institute Director, and very much look forward to working with colleagues to facilitate a coordinated response to interdisciplinary life sciences challenges in line with the University triple helix strategy.”
Professor Mark Spearing, Vice President Research and Enterprise said: “I am thrilled Max will be stepping into this role, his in-depth knowledge and extensive experience will set him in ideal stead to lead the Institute forward. I am hugely grateful to founding Director Professor Peter JS Smith for his fantastic leadership and to Professor Hywel Morgan for stepping in as Interim Director during this period of transition.”
Launched in 2011, IfLS is the University’s and region’s life sciences super-connector, catalysing impact through intellectual leadership, relationships, and expert, targeted support. The Institute facilitates fusions of expertise in research, education and enterprise from a range of disciplines to broaden scientific opportunities and address key issues in health, society and enterprise.
The Glycoprotein Therapeutics Laboratory run by Max Crispin, is predominantly focused on developing anti-viral vaccines and new antibody-based therapies against cancer. It has a particular interest in vaccine design against the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and in the development of novel antibody-based cancer therapeutics. This involves understanding how glycans impact on protein and viral function, how they are structured, and how they can be manipulated for therapeutic applications.
