Manchester professor elected one of the Academy of Medical Sciences new Fellows
Professor Bill Newman from The University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is one of 58 exceptional biomedical and health scientists elected by the Academy of Medical Sciences to its prestigious Fellowship.
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.
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.
He said: “I was selected due to my work on Rare Conditions – I am the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre co-lead for the Rare Conditions theme and lead of a MRC-NIHR Rare Disease node on rare lower urinary tract disorders. This work has resulted in the discovery of the genetic basis of a range of conditions.
“My work in pharmacogenetics – understanding why patients respond differently to their medication – with leadership of the NHS Network of Excellence and innovative point of care genetic studies to prevent hearing loss in newborns secondary to antibiotic use.
“My leadership roles as previous chair of the British Society for Genetic Medicine & president elect of the European Society of Human Genetics having led the education committee for the past 5 years. This award reflects the work and commitment of all of the patients, researchers and clinicians that I have worked with who have supported the many initiatives that I’ve been privileged to be involved with.
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.
Professor Andrew Morris PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: “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.”
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.
