Head of the University’s Department of Public Health and Policy, Professor Dame Margaret Whitehead, has been elected to the prestigious Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
Professor Whitehead, alongside 45 other world leading UK researchers, has been elected as a Fellow for her contribution to biomedical and health research, the generation of new knowledge in medical sciences and its translation into benefits to society.
The Academy is the independent body in the UK representing the diversity of medical science. Their mission is to advance biomedical and health research and its translation into benefits for society.
This new intake to the Fellowship includes the highest female cohort to date (37%).
Expertise
This year’s elected Fellows have expertise that spans women’s health, immunology, public health and infectious disease among many other fields.
Professor Sir Robert Lechler PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences said: “As we elect new Fellows each year, the Academy continues to grow as a unique and productive hub of the best minds in UK medical science. Our expanding and evolving Fellowship allows the Academy to play a vital role in tackling the major health challenges facing society today and in the future.
“The election of these 46 exceptional biomedical and health researchers is a well-deserved honour. Each newly elected Fellow has made an outstanding impact in the community, contributing to the development of better healthcare – from fundamental scientific understanding to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. I am delighted to welcome them to the Academy and greatly look forward to working with them all in the future.”
True diversity
Professor Philippa Saunders FMedSci, Registrar of the Academy of Medical Sciences said: “The Academy has worked hard to ensure our Fellowship represents the true diversity of biomedical science.
“We are delighted this cohort of Fellows sees us welcome the highest proportion of women ever elected – a testament to the very many brilliant women at the forefront of world leading medical science. In the coming year we will maintain our focus on increasing diversity, and hope that the proportion of women Fellows elected – and the diversity of our Fellowship more broadly – continues to grow in future.”
17 of the new Fellows are women, representing 37% of the total elected in 2017. The total women in the pool of candidates was 26%.
The new Fellows will be formally admitted to the Academy at a ceremony on 28 June 2017.