 Its principal area of research has been the relevance of lipids in these disorders but recently this has been extended to include the role of genetics.In 1999 the Ness Foundation became an associate partner in the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).Between 2001 and 2004 the Foundation was run by Dr. Brian M. Ross during which time the Foundation received support from the European Regional Development Fund and various other private and public partners.