James S. Robertson

Biography

Until his retirement in 2013 Dr. Robertson was Principal Scientist, Division of Virology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) http://www.nibsc.org/ where he directed an internationally recognised state-of-the-art programme of research and development concerning influenza vaccines, impacting on influenza vaccine manufacture, influenza vaccine control and the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network. He advised the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on the regulation of biological medicinal products, EU guidelines and EU regulatory practices, as well as national and international government agencies and pharmaceutical industries on quality issues regarding biological medicinal products. He was responsible for or contributed to a number of vaccine-related EU guidelines and remains a consultant to WHO on influenza vaccine technology transfer to developing countries. He graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1971 with a B.Sc. (Hons) in Biochemistry, followed by a PhD in 1974, and spent the following years until 1982 in PostDoc. positions in USA and the University of Cambridge, UK. Dr Robertson is a member/Board member of several international groups related to his areas of expertise, has spoken at numerous international conferences, and has authored more than 140 original scientific papers, articles and reviews. His areas of expertise are vaccines, regulatory and biological standards.

Research Interest

To develop effective, accessible, and affordable vaccines against diseases of poverty.