Dr Tina Barsby is the new Chief Executive of the Cambridge-based plant science organisation National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB). 

A plant geneticist with extensive experience in plant biotechnology and applied crop science, Dr Barsby is currently Site Director at NIAB.  She will become the first female Chief Executive in the Institute’s 90-year history when she takes over from outgoing CEO Professor Wayne Powell on 1 September 2008.  Dr Barsby will continue to contribute to Monogram, BBSRC’s cross-institute programme in cereal genetics.

NIAB Board Chairman Tony Pexton said: “We are delighted to appoint Tina as the new Chief Executive of NIAB from an extremely high calibre line-up of candidates. Her scientific, commercial and managerial expertise offers the right combination to lead NIAB into an exciting period of progress and development.”

Welcoming her appointment, Dr Barsby said: “NIAB is internationally renowned as a centre of excellence in crop evaluation and testing and I am privileged to take on this opportunity.

“There is renewed interest in agricultural research, driven by concerns over global population growth, food security and climate change. This signals exciting new challenges for the plant science community. 

“NIAB can look forward to a vibrant future – not only building on its core strengths in variety trialling and assessment, but also taking a lead in translating basic plant science into innovative products of value to farmers and consumers.”