Pieter Van West

Prof. Pieter Van West is a Professor and Chair in Mycology at the University of Aberdeen, affiliated with the College of Life Sciences and Medicine and School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition. He leads the Aberdeen Oomycete Laboratory and directs the International Centre for Aquaculture Research and Development (ICARD). His research focuses on oomycete pathogens, particularly their molecular mechanisms and control strategies for plant and aquatic systems. Notable roles include past Royal Society University Research Fellow, Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and former President of the British Mycological Society.

Education: MSc (Wageningen, 1993), PhD (Wageningen, 2000).

Research Interests: Oomycete biology, host-pathogen interactions, plant and fish pathogens (e.g., Saprolegnia, Phytophthora), and their economic/environmental impacts. His work spans molecular mechanisms, pathogen control, and aquaculture disease management.

Publications: Recent studies include oomycete-algae interactions, Saprolegnia in aquaculture, and phylogenetic diversity of pathogens. Key areas explored are translocation of effector proteins, host immune responses, and pathogen survival in environments.

Awards: Recognitions include Royal Society Fellowships, Royal Society of Edinburgh Fellowship, and leadership in mycological societies.

Labs/Teams: Directs the Aberdeen Oomycete Laboratory and collaborates with ICARD, contributing to sustainable aquaculture initiatives.