Two UofG professors appointed Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences
Published: 21 May 2024
The Academy of Medical Sciences has announced its new Fellows for 2024, which includes two professors from the University’s College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences.
The Academy of Medical Sciences has announced its new Fellows for 2024, which includes two professors from the University’s College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences.
Vittal Katikireddi, Professor of Public Health and Health Inequalities at the School of Health and Wellbeing, and Michael Barrett, Professor of Biochemical Parasitology at the School of Infection and Immunity, join 58 other exceptional biomedical and health scientists to the Academy of Medical Sciences’ 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.
Professor Katikireddi’s research focuses on improving the development and application of evidence to inform public health policy, and he is also an Honorary Consultant in Public Health at Public Health Scotland.
Professor Katikireddi, from the University’s MRC/CSO Public & Health Sciences Unit, said: "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 Michael Barrett’s research focuses on understanding how drugs against pathogens work, and how resistance to drugs comes about. He is Deputy Head of School and Chairs the Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance (SULSA). He also advises several international organisations on issues surrounding drug development and resistance issues including the World Health Organisation and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative.
Professor Barrett, who works within the School of Infection & Immunity, said: “I am delighted to have been elected as a fellow to the AMS. It is a testament to the fantastic work that so many people around me have conducted over the years.
“I am proud of the advances we have made towards the elimination of African sleeping sickness, in particular, and the opportunities and environment the University of Glasgow has offered in enabling our contributions through its extraordinary support of research into tropical and parasitic disease.”
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.
“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."
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.
Enquiries: ali.howard@glasgow.ac.uk or elizabeth.mcmeekin@glasgow.ac.uk
First published: 21 May 2024