Society honours Practice with Science

The Royal Agricultural Society of England Research Medal for 2009 has been awarded to Dirk Pfeiffer, Professor of Veterinary Epidemiology at the Royal Veterinary College.

Professor Pfeiffer leads an area of research which models data of outbreaks of infectious disease, both endemic to the UK and those occurring globally that pose a risk to the bio-security of the flocks and herds on farms in the UK and beyond.

This epidemiological research has led to proposals for change in management practices, and has informed government at national, EU and international level on important strategic decisions concerned with reducing the risk of exotic and emerging diseases entering countries.

In making the award, the RASE Awards Committee said: "Professor Pfeiffer is a scientist of international reputation who is championing the importance of veterinary public health in the future development of our farm livestock enterprises. He has demonstrated commendably the 'Practice with Science' philosophy of RASE and is a very worthy winner of the Research Medal."    

The RASE Technology Award, which recognises those who, working in a commercial environment, have applied scientific advance into technology through the development of a product or process, this year goes to Dr Stephen Moss, a Research Scientist from Rothamsted Research.

The Rothamsted Rapid Resistance Test, developed by Dr Moss's team, provides a simple method of diagnosing resistance to herbicides in arable weeds. It is valid for a range of different weeds and herbicides, and it allows the degree of resistance to the herbicide to be determined.

The Committee said: "Dr Moss is a research scientist specialising in weed biology and herbicide resistance who has focused high quality science at practical problems in the field, and has been extremely effective in translating his science into the production and use of this diagnostic tool. This is an excellent example of translating science into practice and very much in keeping with the RASE philosophy."

 The awards will be presented by the President of the Society, Mrs Adel MacNicol, at the Royal Show Charity Dinner on Tuesday 7th July 2009.