Irwin McLean PhD DSc FRS FRSE FMedSci MAE FRSB FRSA is a retired biomedical research scientist now working in the voluntary sector and as a creative writer.He is Schwartz Professor of Genetic Medicine (voluntary in-house scientist for skin charity PC Project; https://www.pachyonychia.org/) and also holds an Emeritus Professorship in Genetic Medicine, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee and a Visiting Professorship at Trinity College, Dublin. Irwin's research group identified the causative genes for dozens of human diseases, including a number of diseases of keratins and associated structural proteins (e.g. Nature Genetics 9:273-278, 1995; Nature Genetics 13:450-457, 1996; Nature Genetics 16:184-187, 1997; Nature Genetics 41:228-233, 2009). More recently, his laboratory identified the filaggrin gene as the cause of the common dry skin condition ichthyosis vulgaris and also showed that these mutations, carried by more than 10% humans, are the major genetic predisposing factor for atopic eczema and associated allergic conditions (Nature Genetics 38:337-342 2006; Nature Genetics 38:441-446, 2006; Nature Genetics 39:650-654, 2007). His work won the Times Higher Education Research Project of the year 2006; The CERIES Dermatology Research Prize 2006; The Paul Gerson Unna Dermatology Research Prize 2007; The Royal Society’s Buchanan Medal 2015; and a number of other international awards. In the latter part of his research career, Irwin's work moved into therapy development with multimillion pound research programmes in oligonucleotide and small molecule therapies aimed at monogenic disorders of the epidermis and cornea, as well as atopic eczema. Irwin has published more than 335 peer-reviewed scientific articles (with >45,000 citations) and filed a number of patents. His publication h-facctor is 107 (July 2024).Irwin is currently pursuing writing and other arts projects, supporting his charities and learned societies, and retains several biomedical research collaborations. Irwin actively supports about a dozen local, national and international charities. He is a former Trustee of The Linda Norgrove Foundation, supporting female medical education, as well as giving other support to women and children in Afghanistan. Locally, he supports the Gairloch Community Car Scheme, providing patient transport in the remote Scottish Highlands. Irwin was appointed as Schartz Professor of Genetic Medicine for PC Project in 2024.