Academy of Medical Sciences announces new Fellows for 2024

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The new Fellows have been recognised for their remarkable contributions to advancing biomedical and health sciences, ground-breaking research discoveries and translating developments into benefits for patients and wider society.

Andrew Horne (Director of the Centre for Reproductive Health and Professor of Gynaecology and Reproductive Sciences) and James Boardman (Professor of Neonatal Medicine at the Centre for Reproductive Health) are both included in the 2024 cohort, along with CRH Associate Professor Rebecca Reynolds.

There are two notable firsts – University of Liverpool’s Professor Reecha Sofat is the first participant of the Academy’s FLIER leadership programme to be elected to the Fellowship, and Professor Samir Bhatt from Imperial College London is the first Springboard awardee to become a Fellow of the Academy.

Epidemiologist and statistician Professor Bhatt was awarded £100,000 for his work on infectious disease outbreaks through the Academy’s Springboard scheme, which offers a bespoke package of support to biomedical researchers at the start of their first independent post to help launch their research careers.

The Springboard award from the Academy was an important and pivotal moment in my independent research career. It provided essential funding and support to pursue my research vision and has contributed to many new research directions as well as the work we undertook during the COVID-19 pandemic. To now be elected to the Academy Fellowship is a testament to the importance of nurturing and inspiring the next generation of biomedical leaders.

Professor Bhatt

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The expertise of Fellows elected this year spans a wide range of clinical and non-clinical disciplines, from midwifery to cancer stem cell biology. They join an esteemed Fellowship of over 1,400 researchers who are at the heart of the Academy's work, which includes nurturing the next generation of researchers and shaping research and health policy in the UK and worldwide.

This year's cohort marks a significant milestone in the Academy's efforts to promote equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within its Fellowship election. Among the new Fellows, 41% are women, the highest percentage ever elected. Additionally, Black, Asian and minority ethnic representation is 29%, an 11% increase from the previous year. The new Fellows hold positions at institutions across the UK, including in Edinburgh, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham and York.

Amongst the 2024 Fellows is Professor Vittal Katikireddi, Professor of Public Health and Health Inequalities at the University of Glasgow and Honorary Consultant at Public Health Scotland. Professor Katikireddi's research focuses on improving the development and application of evidence to inform public health policy.

Becoming a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences is a welcome recognition of the importance of public health research in tackling health inequalities. By harnessing the power of data and innovative methodologies, we can generate robust evidence to guide policymakers in creating healthier, more equitable societies.

Professor Katikireddi

It is an honour to welcome these brilliant minds to our Fellowship. Our new Fellows lead pioneering work in biomedical research and are driving remarkable improvements in healthcare. We look forward to working with them, and learning from them, in our quest to foster an open and progressive research environment that improves the health of people everywhere through excellence in medical science.

“We are immensely proud that two talented individuals – Professors Sofat and Bhatt – have seen such success following their involvement with Academy programmes designed to nurture research talent and future leaders.

“It is also welcoming to note that this year's cohort is our most diverse yet, in terms of gender, ethnicity and geography. While this progress is encouraging, we recognise that there is still much work to be done to truly diversify our Fellowship. We remain committed to our EDI goals and will continue to take meaningful steps to ensure our Fellowship reflects the rich diversity of the society we serve.

Professor Andrew Morris PMedSci

The new Fellows will be formally admitted to the Academy at a ceremony on Wednesday 18 September 2024.

The Academy of Medical Sciences is the independent, expert body representing the diversity of medical science in the UK. Its mission is to advance biomedical and health research and its translation into benefits for society. The Academy's elected Fellows are the most influential scientists in the UK and worldwide, drawn from the NHS, academia, industry and the public service.

AMS Flier leadership programme

AMS Springboard grant