Health scientists from University of Warwick join prestigious Academy of Medical Sciences Fellowship

The Academy of Medical Sciences has elected 50 of the UK’s leading figures within biomedical and health sciences to their esteemed Fellowship, including two University of Warwick scientists.

Professor Gavin Perkins, Director of the Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, and Professor Richard Lilford from Warwick Medical School have been made Fellows of the prestigious society. This takes the number of academics from the School recognised by the Academy to three, which is also home to a Fellow of Royal Society amongst its distinguished staff.

The new Fellows have been selected for their outstanding contributions to advancing medical science, cutting edge research discoveries, and translating developments into benefits for patients and wider society. Many of the new Fellows have also made a contribution to medical science through outstanding leadership, public engagement and supporting the career advancement of junior trainees.

This year's elected Fellows have expertise spanning global health, virology, women’s health, medical statistics, health policy, cancer genetics, allergy and emergency care medicine, among many other fields.

Professor Richard Lilford CBE FMedSci, Professor of Public Health at Warwick Medical School, said: “I am delighted to receive this honour which has been made possible by my marvellous team here at the University of Warwick. My mission is to bring the scientific spotlight to bear on issues concerning the management of health services both at home and overseas. My career started in clinical research but has moved to the subject of improving the quality and safety of health services, where it is easy to think that you have improved things when you have done nothing of the sort!”

Professor Gavin Perkins FMedSci, Director of the Warwick Clinical Trials Unit and Critical Care Consultant at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to become a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

“My research tackles some of the most challenging research questions in emergency and critical care medicine. My focus is on improving patient care and outcomes from the scene of the emergency through to care in the intensive care unit. Leading Warwick Clinical Trials Unit provides an excellent environment to deliver high quality, multi-disciplinary research.

“Joining the Academy provides the opportunity to collaborate with some of the greatest minds in health science for the benefit of society.”

Professor Sudhesh Kumar, Dean of Medicine, Warwick Medical School said: “Congratulations to both. It is an excellent achievement and a great testament to the quality of our research leaders.”

Three of the new Fellows bring important knowledge, insight and expertise from working in the commercial sector.

19 of the new Fellows are women, representing 38% of all Fellows elected in 2019, the highest percentage of women ever elected in one year. 20% of the new Fellows are non-UK nationals, coming from seven countries and four continents. We are pleased that this year’s election figures take us closer to a more equal Fellowship with regards to the number of men to women Fellows, and have an international spread. The Academy is committed to working towards diversity and equality of opportunity in everything we do.

The new Fellows will be formally admitted to the Academy at a ceremony on 26 June 2019.

This release was first published 8 May 2019 by the University of Warwick.