The National Subsea Research Institute (NSRI) has appointed Dr. Richard Neilson as academic research director. Dr. Neilson has more than 20 years experience as a lecturer and researcher in a number of Scottish Universities. During this time he spent four years on secondment with oil service company, Rotech Drilling Services, where he was responsible for the design and analysis of downhole tools. Dr Neilson has a PhD and BSc in Mechanical Engineering and an MSc in Biomedical Engineering.