Key roles
Head of School
Dr Gerald Prescott
Dr Prescott is the Head of the School of Biology. He has held strategic leadership roles in teaching and education at the University of St Andrews, including Director of Teaching within the School of Biology and Associate Dean for Education in the Faculty of Science. An education-focused academic, his expertise spans curriculum development, assessment, student wellbeing and the impact of societal change on higher education. As Head of School, he brings extensive leadership experience and a commitment to excellence in education and research.
- Email:
- biohead@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)1334 46 2654
- Biography:
- Full biography
Deputy Head of School
Professor Sacha Hooker
Professor Hooker is the Deputy Head of the School of Biology. An internationally recognised marine biologist, her research focuses on the behaviour, ecology and conservation of marine mammals. She has led research with global impact on marine conservation and brings extensive academic leadership experience and a commitment to advancing excellence in research and education.
- Email:
- sh43@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)1334 46 3604
- Biography:
- Full biography
School Manager
Kenneth Keating
Mr Keating is the School Manager and oversees the School’s professional services functions, strategic planning and governance. He has more than 17 years of leadership and management experience in higher education, leading multidisciplinary teams across multiple campuses at Imperial College London. With a background in genetics, biopharmaceuticals and gene therapy, he brings a combination of scientific expertise and strategic leadership experience to the role.
- Email:
- biomanager@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)1334 46 3626
Technical Operations Manager
Dr Martin Cockcroft
Dr Cockcroft is the Technical Operations Manager for the School of Biology and leads the School's technical functions, facilities and estate operations. He brings extensive leadership experience from roles in highly regulated environments, with expertise in quality assurance, compliance, training and operational management. Dr Cockcroft is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of technical services and supporting the School's research and teaching ambitions.
Full biography
- Email:
- mgc22@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)1334 46 3083
Director of Teaching
Dr Susan Gurney
Dr Susan Gurney oversees teaching and learning across the School of Biology, supporting the delivery of an excellent student experience. A lecturer with expertise in genetics, microbiology and science education, she is particularly interested in enhancing student engagement and widening access to research-led learning opportunities.
- Email:
- biodot@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)1334 46 3004
- Biography:
- Full biography
Director of Research
Professor Andy Gardner
Professor Andy Gardner leads the School's research strategy and culture, supporting world-class biological research across diverse disciplines. An internationally recognised evolutionary biologist, his research focuses on adaptation, social evolution, kin selection and the evolutionary processes that shape behaviour across species.
Full biography
- Email:
- biodor@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)1334 46 3513
Director of Impact and Innovation
Dr Uli Schwarz-Linek
Dr Uli Schwarz-Linek promotes the School's impact and innovation activities, helping translate research into real-world applications and partnerships. His research in structural biology and host-pathogen interactions has advanced our understanding of infectious diseases and contributed to the development of novel diagnostic and biotechnology tools.
- Email:
- biodoi@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)1334 46 7188
- Biography:
- Full biography
Director of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Dr Tracey Gloster
Dr Tracey Gloster chairs the School's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for students and staff. Alongside this role, she is a leading researcher in structural glycobiology, studying carbohydrate-processing enzymes that play important roles in health and disease.
Full biography
- Email:
- eqdivcom@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)1334 46 7245
Deputy Director / Co-Chair of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Carmel McDougall
Dr Carmel McDougall Co-Chairs the School's commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion while helping ensure that all members of the community can thrive. A marine biologist and genomics researcher, her work focuses on sustainable aquaculture, marine conservation and understanding the evolution and diversity of marine organisms.
Full biography
- Email:
- eqdivcom@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)1334 46 3433
Health and Safety Coordinator
Dr Magnus Alphey
Dr Magnus Alphey coordinates health and safety across the School, supporting safe working practices in teaching, research and laboratory environments. As the School's X-ray Facility Manager, he also contributes specialist expertise in structural biology and protein crystallography research.
Full biography
- Email:
- biology_safety@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)1334 46 7250
School President
Xavi Stanislawski
Xavi Stanislawski is the elected School President, representing Biology students and acting as a key link between students and School leadership. A Molecular Biology student, he is committed to strengthening student support, increasing awareness of careers and research opportunities, and building a stronger sense of community across the School.
Full biography
- Email:
- biologypresident@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone:
- Email:
- biohonours@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)1334 46 3004
- Email:
- graeme.ruxton@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)1334 46 4825
- Email:
- biosubhonours@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone:
- Email:
- Biodopgt@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)1334 46 1690
- Email:
- Biodopgt@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)1334 46 3488
- Email:
- jt58@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)1334 46 4829
- Email:
- cr68@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)1334 46 3340
-
- Email:
- biodopg@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)1334 46 3554
- Email:
- rgds@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Phone:
- +44 (0)1334 46 3496