A TOP academic who has raised more than £1 million in research grants is to take a leading role at a York university.

Professor Alyson Tobin will become York St John University’s new Deputy Vice Chancellor in September, succeeding Professor David Maughan Brown, who retires at the end of the year.

She was previously acting vice-principal and dean of the faculty of science at the University of St Andrews and has held posts at the Universities of York, Manchester and Sussex.

Professor Tobin has been awarded two personal research fellowships by the Royal Society and is a fellow of the society of biology, while her background in plant physiology and metabolism has seen her invited to present research papers in the UK, Europe, US, Japan and India.

“I am delighted to be joining York St John University at such an important time in its development,” said Professor Tobin, who gained a first-class honours degree in plant biology and a PhD in plant biochemistry at Newcastle University.

“The university places its students at the centre of its community and has invested in an impressive range of new buildings. There is a clear and ambitious strategy for continuing expansion and I look forward to working with staff and students.”

Vice Chancellor Professor David Fleming said Professor Tobin would bring “a notable international research record” to York St John.