David Tennent Baird CBE. BA (Cantab), MD, DSc, FRCP, FRCOG, FMedSc, FRSE. Emeritus Professor University of Edinburgh, MRC Centre for Reproductive Health: Honorary Consultant Gynaecologist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Educated at the Universities of Aberdeen, Cambridge and Edinburgh before post graduate training in endocrinology, obstetrics and gynaecology in Edinburgh, London and USA Shrewsbury.MASS. Previous appointments Professor and Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (1976-85) and MRC Clinical Research Professor (1985-2000) University of Edinburgh. Founding Deputy Director MRC Unit of Reproductive Biology, Edinburgh.

His research interests are both basic and applied in the field of reproductive medicine from infertility to contraception. Author of over 500 original publications in peer-reviewed journals. Research achievements include the identification of PGF2α as the luteolytic hormone in sheep and role of prostaglandins in menstruation in women. His team were the first to demonstrate that antigestogens could be used as emergency contraceptives and with prostaglandins as a medical “Abortion Pill” which is widely used throughout the world as the preferred method of inducing abortion. Past Chairman of SRF and Honorary President of the British Fertility Society.