24 July 2007 - Article by Nottingham Evening Post

Graeme Blackwood, former vice president of research & development for food group Mars, has joined the board of the canine cancer screening specialists PetScreen as a non-executive director. The appointment comes at a key time for the BioCity Nottingham-based company as it begins its international roll-out with new screens shortly to be announced for both cancer and other critical conditions. Dr Blackwood obtained his PhD in Biochemistry from Newcastle University in 1973 and became a post Doctoral Fellow in Edinburgh on gene manipulation in 1974. He has close links with Nottingham and the East Midlands and was a lecturer in biochemistry at the University of Nottingham from 1974 to 1979. He joined Pedigree Petfoods Division of Mars Inc. as a Research Scientist in 1979. Petscreen chief executive Dr Kevin Slater said: "Graeme's international understanding of the veterinary marketplace is invaluable to us as we internationalise the business and bring new products to market."