President’s Report

Former Pupils’ Section

In 1980 Stuart moved to Brussels to join Merck, the major US pharmaceutical company. During a 25-year career at Merck Stuart was responsible for building the company’s European core biostatistical and clinical data management capability, becoming Senior Director in 2000. Initially, his primary task was to provide statistical support for marketing studies across Merck’s European subsidiaries but from the mid-1980s onwards he assumed responsibility for developing innovative computing systems and processes for capturing and accelerating the acquisition of international clinical trial data, in particular the early adoption of remote data entry solutions. Throughout the 1990s, under Stuart’s leadership, the European department expanded their remit to include phase III research programs and several mega trials, notably the 4S study, the first end-point study to demonstrate that reducing cholesterol levels in cardiac patients had a significant impact on reducing mortality.

On leaving Merck, Stuart worked for several Clinical Research Organisations providing clinical trial design and operational support to both pharmaceutical companies and hospitals. Stuart left full-time employment in 2010 but continued to work for several years in a consulting role accelerating the acquisition of international clinical trial data, in particular the early adoption of remote data entry solutions. Throughout the 1990s, under Stuart’s leadership, the European department expanded their remit to include phase III research programs and several mega trials, notably the 4S study, the first end-point study to demonstrate that reducing cholesterol levels in cardiac patients had a significant impact on reducing mortality.

On leaving Merck, Stuart worked for several Clinical Research Organisations providing clinical trial design and operational support to both pharmaceutical companies and hospitals. Stuart left full-time employment in 2010 but continued to work for several years in a consulting role.

Stuart was awarded full colours for rugby in his 5th year and his enthusiasm for the sport continued while at Aberdeen University, playing for the Grammar FP first XV for four seasons between 1969 and 1973. During this period he was also a member of the ‘Buzz Collectif’, a 7-aside team, which included three other contemporary Grammar FPs (‘Tufty’ Duncan, Roddy McDonald and Marshall Byres) and three Gordonian students, and which won the inaugural Aberdeen University open sevens tournament in 1971 and successfully defended their title the