A FORMER Angus woman has been appointed the new chief scientific adviser for Scotland.

Arbroath-born Professor Anne Glover has been given the job of further enhancing Scotland’s reputation as a “science nation.”

Professor Glover, who lectures at Aberdeen University, is being seconded to the Scottish Executive to provide independent advice to ministers, to take the lead on co-ordinating science policy across the Executive and to work closely with the science community.

Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen said, “My vision for Scotland as a ‘science nation’ is one where science and innovation is key to our economic success and raising our quality of life.

“Scotland has a remarkable history of discovery and innovation and we are continuing to deliver breakthroughs today in areas such as stem cells, e-health, genomics and informatics.

“The appointment of Professor Glover as our chief scientific adviser will further enhance this country’s reputation. She will have an important role to play, not just within the Executive, but also outside it, and I look forward to working with her.”

Professor Glover said, “Scotland’s scientific endeavour is outstanding in both national and international arenas and I want to contribute to ensuring that our scientific excellence translates to increased prosperity and quality of life for the people of Scotland.

“I also hope to convey the excitement and potential of science to non-scientists so they can share in the pleasure of new discoveries.”

Born in Arbroath to a chartered surveyor and an administrator, Anne show-ed an unorthodox scientific curiosity from the age of three, when she was photo-graphed eating worms.

“As a child I was always asking why, what, how and when, and was in libraries from an early age,” she recalled.

“My elder brother was given a chemistry set and I remember being in the kitchen when he got something wrong and it exploded all over the ceiling.

“I thought, ‘Yep, that’s for me.’ I must have been about nine.”

A pupil at Dundee High School, and later a life sciences student at Edinburgh, Cambridge and Aberdeen, she attributes success not to any innate genius, but a determination to keep asking questions—a tendency many of her compatriots have historically shared.

“Scotland has always been small and outward looking,” she said.

“We’re inquisitive people and at the end of the day, what is a scientist? Just someone who is very curious and good at observing.”