Nationality British Alma mater University of Warwick Name Hilary Lappin-Scott | Spouse William Lappin-Scott Known for Biofilms | |
Institutions University of ExeterSwansea University Institution University of Exeter, Swansea University | ||
Prof hilary lappin scott on soapbox science public engagement and microbiology
Hilary Margaret Lappin-Scott (born 1955) is a British microbiologist who studies the function of microbial biofilms. She was elected as only the second female President of the Society for General Microbiology (SGM) in 2009 and served in this role until 2012. She was also President of the International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME) at the same time, serving two terms in this role (2006-2010). She is currently Pro-Vice Chancellor for Strategic Development and External Relations at Swansea University.
Contents
- Prof hilary lappin scott on soapbox science public engagement and microbiology
- Early life and education
- Academic research and career
- Personal life
- References
Early life and education
Hilary Margaret Lappin is the daughter of Edward Lappin and his wife Thelma (née Consitt). She was born in Middlesbrough, where she attended St Joseph's Infant and Junior School Middlesbrough and St Mary's Convent, Middlesbrough, before reading Environmental Science at the University of Warwick from 1977–80, and completed her PhD at the University of Warwick on herbicide degradation by microbial communities.
Academic research and career
Lappin-Scott started her research career as a postdoctoral work at the University of Calgary, Canada with the late Bill Costerton, a pioneer in biofilm research. She moved to a faculty position at the University of Exeter in 1990, where she rose to a personal Chair in Microbiology in 1999. She has successfully supervised 50 students through their PhDs, edited 7 textbooks and published extensively in the area of microbial biofilms.
She left Exeter in 2008 when she was appointed as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at Bangor University, Wales. She was appointed as Chair in Microbiology and Pro-Vice Chancellor for Strategic Development and External Relations at Swansea University in 2010.
Lappin-Scott has a long association with the SGM. She joined in 1984 and was Convenor of the Environmental Microbiology group in 1996. She was elected onto council in 2000. She served as the Scientific Meetings Officer in 2004, introducing a new Division theme structure for conference planning and establishing the SGM Prize Medal. She was then elected President in 2009, being only the second female President in SGM history, following a gap of over 60 from the first female President, Marjory Stephenson. She is now an Honorary Member of the SGM. More recently she has created and Chairs the Equality and Diversity group of the SGM, which aims to remove barriers to women in microbiology. In 2013 she was chosen as one of the Soapbox Science speakers for the 2013 event in London. She presented a TED lecture in 2016 entitled "MOVE OVER BOYS: Why we need more girls/women in STEM Careers" about gender equality in science .
In 2016 she was awarded a WISE Hero Award by HRH Princess Anne, recognising her work in promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to girls and women and in 2017 she was awarded a Womenspire Chwarae_Teg STEM PIONEER Award, further recognising her role in promoting women in STEM.
Lappin-Scott has also had major roles in the International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME), serving two-terms as President from 2006-2010 and she was involved in founding the ISME Journal. She is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, the Society of Biology and the European Academy of Microbiology.
Personal life
Lappin-Scott is married with one son and two step-daughters.