Professor James McInerney has joined the University of Liverpool as Head of the Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour in the Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences.
A microbiologist by training, Professor McInerney joins the Institute from the University of Nottingham, where he was Chair of Evolutionary Biology and Head of the School of Life Sciences.
James has over 20 years’ experience in computational evolutionary biology and his current research investigates the evolution of prokaryote genomes, using high performance computing to apply AI approaches. As a former President of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution and elected Fellow of the Linnean Society and American Academy of Microbiology, James brings with him a wealth of experience in research leadership.
Professor McInerney said: "I am thrilled to join the University of Liverpool as Head of the Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour and I look forward to contributing to the Department’s excellent research and teaching initiatives."
Commenting on his appointment, Professor Matthew Baylis, Executive Dean of the Institute said: "I am delighted to welcome James to the Institute. James brings clear thinking and significant leadership experience to help us navigate through the challenges we currently face in UK universities; and also excellence in new areas of research that complement and strengthen research in the Department and wider Institute."
Professor McInerney commenced his position on 1 August 2024.