The University of Liverpool and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust have appointed Professor Gregory Lip as part of a new initiative to establish an internationally-leading Centre for Cardiovascular Science in the Merseyside region.
Professor Lip is a clinical researcher with a major interest into atrial fibrillation (AF), a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate, and leads to a high risk of stroke and death. He is ranked as the world’s leading AF expert by Expertscape and has previously featured in the Thomson Reuters’ Science Watch list of ‘World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds’ as a highly cited researcher.
He will leave his current role as Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Birmingham to become the David A. Price-Evans Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine at the University’s Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease from 1 February 2019. He will also carry out clinical work at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital as an honorary Consultant Cardiologist.
Professor Lip said: “I look forward to developing the new Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science and to working with partners to create a leading programme of research that will have major impact on patient care at the local, national and international level.
“Liverpool offers many excellent opportunities for cardiovascular research, spanning from epidemiology, public health and primary care, to basic science and translational research, as well as clinical studies that improve our understanding and treatment of common cardiovascular conditions.”
The Centre will involve significant contributions from the University, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Health Partners.
Professor Louise Kenny, Executive Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the University of Liverpool, said: “Gregory is a world leading clinical scientist and we are delighted to be welcoming him to Liverpool. His wealth of experience and expertise will provide important focus and leadership for collaborative cardiovascular research in the Merseyside region.”
Jane Tomkinson OBE, Chief Executive of Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to be part of this important new strategic collaboration which will lead to improved cardiovascular health for the residents of the Liverpool City region and beyond. As a specialist heart and chest hospital, we play an important role in delivering the research of today which will become the care of tomorrow. This collaboration will fast-track our research into clinical practice for the benefit of all.”