Professor Nick Beresford

Prof Nick Beresford

We are deeply saddened to report that our friend and colleague Professor Nick Beresford passed away on Monday 1 May after bravely battling cancer for the last year. Nick was a much-loved colleague, mentor and friend, who made a huge contribution to radiation exposure and risk assessment, particularly in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. He will be greatly missed around the world.

Please direct all queries about radioecology science at UKCEH to LAPollutionSupport@ceh.ac.uk.

Professional summary

Research Interests

Considerable experience in the study of: the transfer of radionuclides (and heavy metals) to farm animals; radionuclides in semi-natural ecosystems; development and testing of remediation measures.

Supervised PhD students include:

  • Evaluating in varietal variation in the uptake of Sr and Cs by forage grass can be exploited as a remediation measure (co-supervised by University of Nottingham )
  • Development of live-monitors for determining the radionuclide concentrations in wildlife (co-supervised with University of Salford)
  • Investigation of dosimeters for wildlife (co-supervised with University of Salford)
  • Evaluating the use of feather hormones as a marker of exposure to stressors (especially radionuclide exposure) (co-supervised by University of Stirling)

Brief CV

  • Environmental Contaminants Group Leader (UKCEH Lancaster)
  • Honorary Professor University of Salford
  • Associate Editor of Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
  • Leader of UN IAEA EMRAS, EMRAS II and MODARIA working groups on 'biota dose assessment'
  • Member/corresponding member of ICRP task groups developing the 'Reference Animal and Plant' framework
  • Consultant to UN IAEA for preparation of Technical Report Series and Safety Report Series publications
  • PhD supervisor/co-supervisor
  • Author of >150 refereed publications
  • Author of >200 reports, datasets and other publications
  • Co-developer and provider of training courses on environmental radiological protection
  • Co-author of Chernobyl Catastrophe and Consequences.

Qualifications

  • PhD University of Nottingham
  • Membership of the Institute of Biology by private study and thesis (BSc Hons)

Panels, committees and memberships

  • Member of the Royal Society of Biology