Keele celebrates research centre’s 25th anniversary
Keele University’s Faculty of Natural Sciences held a range of celebrations last week to mark the 25th anniversary of the the Centre for Applied Entomology and Parasitology (CAEP).
To commemorate the Centre’s achievements, CAEP members, collaborating institutions, funding agencies, and senior delegates including MP Jeremy Lefroy, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Malaria Group, were invited to join an exciting programme of events including an exclusive tour of the new School of Life Sciences’ teaching and research laboratories in the Huxley Building, and the CAEP research centre.
After the tour guests were invited to an evening dinner at Keele Hall celebrating CAEP’s achievements and its development over the last 25 years as well as showcasing its research and plans for the future.
Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of Natural Sciences, Professor Jonathan
Wastling, welcomed the delegates to the newly-developed Huxley Building. Head of the School of Life Sciences Professor David Hoole, and CAEP Director Professor Frederic Tripet, then hosted a tour of the new laboratories and the research centre.
Professor Tripet commented: “For the past 25 years CAEP has delivered research excellence in Parasitology and Applied Entomology thereby contributing to the University’s national and international profile and to the UK’s leading role in Tropical Medicine.
“The new School of Life Sciences extension will enable CAEP to build on existing strengths and expand its activities in the areas of arthropod-borne viral diseases research and agricultural pest management and food security, two of mankind’s most pressing challenges. This is a very exciting development, not only for CAEP members but for all our collaborators and our partners from countries endemic for arthropod-borne diseases, hence we are absolutely thrilled by that prospect.”
During the tour Professor Hoole explained the importance of the new extension and the growth it will lead to in research activities.
Professor Hoole commented: “The new laboratories showcase the vision we have for the School of Life Sciences at Keele. This vision not only includes providing state-of-the-art infrastructure, but also continuing to recruit excellent teachers and researchers to generate enthusiasm within the biosciences.
“This extension also allows researchers in different fields to work together, stimulating interaction and interdisciplinary working to contribute to the solving of the many medical, agricultural and environmental challenges that face society throughout the world.”