Dr Tina Barsby, Fellow of the College and CEO of Cambridge-based crop science organisation NIAB, has been awarded an OBE in the 2018 New Year Honours List for services to agricultural science and biotechnology.

Well known for her scientific achievements and significant experience in the agricultural crop sector, Dr Barsby is a plant geneticist who has been CEO of NIAB since 2008. Her strong leadership skills and supportive staff have enabled Dr Barsby to position NIAB where it is today, as the UK’s fastest growing crop science organisation. With its headquarters in Cambridge and regional offices across the country, employing more than 400 people throughout the UK, NIAB provides scientific research, technical services and practical advice to improve the yield, efficiency and resilience of crop production across the arable, forage and horticulture sectors www.niab.com

As well as being a Fellow of St Edmund’s College, Dr Barsby is also a Trustee of the John Innes Foundation; a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology; a Trustee of the Lawes Agricultural Trust; a member of the Board of Agrimetrics; a member of the Agri-Food Technology Council; and an Associate of the Royal Agricultural Societies.

Dr Barsby said: “This award is a great honour for me and a tribute to all the colleagues I’ve worked with across the industry over the years. Every day I’m inspired by the work being carried out at NIAB and the essential contribution we are making to help our industry fulfil its potential in food production.”

Matthew Bullock, Master of St Edmund’s, commented: “The College is thrilled and very proud that Tina’s achievements have been recognized in this way. The work of NIAB in pioneering plant science research, based at the heart of the Cambridge science, technology and university communities is vital, and St Edmund’s is honoured to have an association with such an organisation’.

For more information please contact:

Kate Glennie, Development Director kg386@cam.ac.uk