A Neil Macgregor

Neil Macgregor. Sadly, Neil died on 16 September 2009. He had been active in PSRG/PSGR since its inception. Neil brought a wealth of experience to the work he did, dedication, and a great sense of humour. He will be sadly missed.

Neil Macgregor is a biological scientist with primary expertise in soil biology and biochemistry, soil microbial ecology, and microbial genetics. He graduated BSc and MSc from the University of Otago (NZ) in 1961, and PhD from Cornell University (USA) in 1968.

Dr Macgregor has held both teaching and/or research positions at Cornell University, the University of Arizona in Tucson, the University of Wisconsin in Madison, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) in Montpellier, Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, and Massey University, Palmerston North (Tiritea Campus), New Zealand. From 1991-99 he was an academic member of the University Council of Massey University, and was national Vice President and President of the Association of University Teachers in New Zealand (AUTNZ) from 1985-1989.

Dr Macgregor has relevant research experiences in soil biological processes and land-use systems including biological nitrogen fixation and transformations in both terrestrial and aquatic natural environments, land disposal of rural and urban waste streams, soil and water quality, and the experimental use of reporter genes in soil microbial ecology studies.

Specific research interests have included the biological decomposition of herbicides, the role and soil persistence of microbial inoculants in biological nitrogen fixation and sulphur oxidation, biochemical transformations of nitrogen and carbon in soil and aquatic environments, and the use of reporter genes in soil microbial ecology. He has ongoing major interests in soil biology and ecotoxicology, microbial ecology of land-use systems, as well as in the animal health industry, athropogenic stresses of soil biological activity, and sustainability of land-use systems.

Dr Macgregor is the author/co-author of over 70 refereed publications and conference papers. He contributed the chapter ‘Footprints of Genetic Engineering in Agriculture’ to Designer Genes and frequently speaks to community groups on the effects of transgenic crops on soil biology, and on further soil research in the organic and vermiculture industries.

He is a Trustee of Physicians and Scientists for Responsible Genetics and is the Co-Editor of the digital publication, Journal of Organic Systems; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

May 2008

Neil Macgregor was a founder of the Journal for Organic Systems and a tribute to him and his work can be found on http://www.organic-systems.org/journal/Vol_4(1)/pdf/01-03_Neil_Macgregor_Appreciation_Hill.pdf.

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