University honours scientific advisor to the Government

11 Jul 2013

The University is honouring five former students who have achieved distinction, highlighting the incredible contribution of Manchester graduates.

(l-r) Professor Matthew Cobb, Jackie Caine and Professor Martin Humphries

Our Outstanding Alumni Awards are given to those who have achieved distinction in their profession, through exemplary service to the University or the wider community or through outstanding service of a personal or humanitarian nature.

The second was presented yesterday (Wednesday 10 July) by the Faculty of Life Sciences to Jackie Caine, BSc (Hons) Zoology with Industrial Experience (2006).

Jackie is Science Policy Officer at the Society of Biology, providing the Government and other policy makers with access to authoritative, independent and evidence-based guidance. She has also given evidence to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Science and Technology, advising on key policy work.

Jackie has also become a leading player in a number of new initiatives at the Society. She is currently involved in training Disability Assessors who will be working with University students, as well as playing a key role in the Open Access programme that looks to make papers and data accessible to everyone.

In her spare time she has also established Groho, a non-profit ltd company which aims to make urban greening solutions more accessible to urban communities.

Jackie started her career working with Colobus Monkeys at the Colobus Trust in Africa, also running the trust’s site at Diani Beach, Kenya. When she returned to the UK she began working with a number of causes including the Society for Education and Exploration, Chester Zoo and the Bat Conservation Trust. After gaining funding by the Natural Environment Research Council, Jackie completed her Masters in Conservation at UCL before finally joining the Society of Biology.