Peter McGrath

Dr. Peter McGrath obtained his BSc (honours) in Agricultural Zoology from the University of Glasgow, UK, and his PhD from the University of Leeds, UK, in 1989. His 10-year research career focused on the insect transmission of plant viruses, with posts in both the UK and USA. Back in the UK, he established his own business as a freelance journalist focusing on scientific, agricultural and environmental issues. He joined The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) in 2003 as a writer/editor in the Public Information Office where, among his other duties, he edited seven volumes of the TWAS-UNDP case study series ‘Sharing Innovative Experiences’. From 2006, Peter began overseeing the implementation of TWAS’s core capacity-building programmes, including South-South fellowships, other exchange programmes, research grants and various prizes, as well as the activities of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD). In 2011, he was also appointed Coordinator of the TWAS Science Policy/Science Diplomacy programme. In November 2013 he took over as Coordinator of the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), the global network of some 140 academies of science, engineering and medicine. Among his duties at IAP, he acts as Secretary to the IAP Science Education Programme’s Global Council and the IAP Biosecurity Working Group. The Young Physicians Leadership (YPL) programme is a flagship IAP activity. He also retains his position as Coordinator of the TWAS Science Policy/Science Diplomacy programme.