QUB scientist appointed Translational Research Group chair
01 June 2011
Professor Patrick Johnston, dean of the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast has been appointed chair of the Translational Research Group of the Medical Research Council (MRC).
The Translational Research Group allocates funding for strategic research investments and makes recommendations on the implementation of strategic decisions.
Announcing the appointment at Queen’s University, Sir John Savill, chief executive of the MRC, said:
“Professor Johnston’s appointment is extremely important. The role as chair of the Transitional Research Group is key to its success in the UK, which is one of our main objectives. The Medical Research Council has to deliver the economic benefits from its investments and getting the right strategy to achieve that is essential. Professor Johnston is very committed to commercial translation; he has particular expertise in cancer and is clearly someone who has chosen a very receptive research environment at Queen’s.”
Commenting on his appointment, Professor Johnston said:
“This appointment is not only an honour for me but also for Queen’s University and Northern Ireland. It is also a major recognition of the research work undertaken in the four Medical Research Centres at Queen’s. It will allow me to further develop my understanding of translational research across the UK and also direct research at Queen’s into areas that will be more successful.”
Professor Peter Gregson, vice-chancellor of Queen’s University, said:
“It is an honour for Professor Johnston as an individual but also a great privilege for Queen’s University and Northern Ireland to have someone from here appointed in this key strategic role within the Medical Research Council. It places Northern Ireland at the heart of strategy and policy development in the MRC. This is extremely important as we try to realise our ambition to make a contribution to translation research both here and at a national level. The appointment of Professor Johnston places Queen’s strategy to develop our Institute of Life Sciences and re-structure the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences with the clear focus on translational research at the heart of national policy.”
