This Award is presented each year to a member of the Ulster University alumni community in recognition of outstanding achievement in their chosen field.
Catherine, a two time graduate from Ulster University, is currently the Chief Scientific Officer in Scottish Government, providing professional advice to ministers and government on all aspects of healthcare science. She is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction for the scientific services in Scotland and leads on international health issues from a scientific professions perspective.
Since graduating, initially completing a postgraduate certificate in Health Science in 2008 and then achieving an MSc in Health Science in 2013, Catherine has kept close ties with Ulster University and is dedicated to seeing our students and graduates fulfil their potential. Early in her career Catherine was involved in the development of the first Clinical Physiology undergraduate programme which was delivered by Ulster. And in recent months Catherine has become a mentor to one of our current cohort of 25@25 graduates, a group of 25 early stage graduates selected for a yearlong unique leadership programme to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement.
On receiving news of her Award, Catherine said:
“I am delighted to have been recognised as this years Allstate NI Distinguished Graduate of the Year.
My career as a healthcare scientist, began at the Royal Victoria Hospital and Ulster University, and my journey has taken me to the position of Chief Scientific Officer in Scottish Government and Head of the Scientific Profession within the NHS in Scotland.
The academic foundation which was built by Ulster University has supported my passion for lifelong learning and appreciation of the value of high-quality education as a key enabler of achieving ones goals I am grateful to Allstate NI for their sponsorship of this award and in doing so their demonstration of the value they place on partnership working with Ulster University.”
Thomas McLaughlin, Allstate NI, commented:
“We are delighted to award Professor Catherine Ross with the prestigious Allstate NI Ulster University Distinguished Graduate Award 2023. Catherine’s achievements across healthcare science have been incredible and mirror Allstate's values in giving back to the community.
Catherine, congratulations and thank you for all that you do through your work with the Scottish government and the 25@25 graduates; you are an inspiration to us all.”