Most top medical researchers have had MRC support
1 May 2008
The Academy of Medical Sciences has elected 40 new fellows from the United Kingdom’s leading doctors and medical researchers in recognition of their contribution to medical research. The vast majority of those elected have at some point in their careers received support from the Medical Research Council, while three are currently MRC senior scientists.
Dr Steve Gamblin, Joint Head of the Molecular Structure Division and Dr Victor Tybulewicz Head of the Immune Cell Biology Division, both at the MRC’s National Institute for Medical Research and Dr Mick Hastings, Programme Leader in Circadian Neurobiology at the MRC’s Laboratory of Molecular Biology, are all recipients of the prestigious Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences are elected for their outstanding contributions to the advancement of medical science, for innovative application of scientific knowledge and conspicuous service to healthcare.
The list also highlights the number of leading MRC-funded scientists outside MRC units and centres and the substantial role the organisation plays in supporting research aimed at improving health. These include Professor of Behavioural Neuroscience in Cambridge Barry Everitt, who specialises in addiction research and Professor of Neuroscience at UCL (University College London) John Hardy, whose focus is neurological disease.
Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, MRC Chief Executive and a founding fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, added: “Some of the most prominent MRC scientists have been fellows of the AMS and there is no doubt that those nominated this year are world leaders in their fields, from flu research to unravelling the secrets of Down’s Syndrome. It is fantastic that 90 percent of the scientists and clinicians elected this year have at some point in their careers received support from the MRC. It highlights what a contribution the MRC has made to medical practice in the last few decades.”
The Academy of Medical Sciences was established to promote medical science across traditional disciplinary boundaries. It draws its authority from its elected Fellowship of 834 leading medical scientists in the UK.
Professor Sir John Bell, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said "These Fellows enter the Academy at a time when health research is high on the public and political agenda. The Medical Research Council funds the highest quality research and it is in keeping that MRC scientists are among this year's fellows"
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