Glasgow artist Jacqueline Donachie has been appointed lead artist on the design team for the Centre for Health Science, which is currently under construction in Inverness.

Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise (INBSE) has selected Jacqueline to co-ordinate art projects throughout the building that will be undertaken by her and other contributing artists.

She was chosen from a short-list of internationally-known artists who are experienced at working collaboratively with the medical sciences. She has recently received a Wellcome Trust SciArt Production Award for her work DM, which looks at genetic disease from all sides. She also has a strong background in public art installations.

Jacqueline and the other commissioned artists will undertake research with the soon-to-be new tenants of the Centre for Health Science and community groups and will consult with the designers to create a unique and visually attractive working environment.   

Evi Westmore, Inverness public art co-ordinator, said: "I am thrilled that Jackie has been selected for this project. Her work is well known for being ambitious, inclusive and intelligent, and she is well respected in the art world."

The Centre for Health Science is a purpose-built, multi-user bio-medical research, education and business incubation facility which will be located next to Raigmore Hospital and adjacent to LifeScan Scotland Ltd.

The first phase of the Centre for Health Science is due to be completed in autumn 2006 and will house Stirling University's department of nursing and midwifery, the post-graduate medical centre for NHS Education for Scotland and the new chair of health sciences for the UHI Millennium Institute, sponsored by Lifescan Scotland.

The second phase, expected to be ready by autumn 2007, will provide accommodation for a variety of other public and private sector organisations, including the University of Aberdeen's Centre for Rural Health, In Veritas Medical Diagnostics (IVMD) and Lifescan Scotland. A third phase is currently being considered.

Sheena Devlin, the recently appointed business manager for the Centre for Health Science said: "Jackie's work will enhance the environment of the Centre for Health Science, providing interesting and stimulating surroundings for people to work and visit and will contribute to the innovative ethos of the centre. I look forward to seeing the results."