7 research leaders awarded prestigious NIHR award

The NIHR has today announced the latest outstanding researchers to become NIHR Research Professors. They will play a key role in undertaking professorial-level research that has a positive impact on the nation.

The NIHR Research Professorships scheme funds and supports research leaders of the future. Each will receive a five-year award of up to £2 million. This includes three support posts, research costs and access to a leadership and development programme. 

It aims to strengthen and benefit health, public health and care research leadership. Previous NIHR Research Professors' research has led to interventions which have improved patient care.

New NIHR Research Professors

The new cohort of awardees are:

• Professor Mona Bafadhel, King’s College London. Her research topic is: Clinical risk prediction models in COPD exacerbations
• Professor Andrew Clegg, University of Leeds. His research topic is: Maximising independence for older people across community and hospital settings
• Dr Laura Coates, University of Oxford. Her research topic is: Novel digital trials for inflammatory arthritis optimising management within the National Health Service
• Professor Emma Crosbie, The University of Manchester. Her research topic is: PREDICT-EC: A risk prediction tool to streamline diagnostic pathways for suspected endometrial cancer
• Professor Lorna Fraser, King’s College London. Her research topic is: Improving Care for children with life-limiting Conditions: developing, adapting, impLementing and Evaluating interventions (ICICLE)
• Professor Michael Marks, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. His research topic is: Unravelling the mystery of Treponema pallidum: Novel insights in to syphilis to accelerate development of effective and accessible syphilis control strategies
• Dr Naureen Starling, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. Her research topic is: Liquid Biopsies to Transform the Diagnosis and Treatment of Gut Cancers

Developing research that can change lives

Professor Waljit Dhillo, Dean of the NIHR Academy who serves on the NIHR Board as Scientific Director for Research Capacity and Capabilities, said: “I am delighted to welcome the latest group of researchers as NIHR Research Professors. These outstanding individuals will play a key role in the research community and I look forward to seeing the positive impact their research will make to the public.

“As a previous NIHR Research Professor, I know the difference and impact that this scheme can make, not only to develop research that can change lives but also to transform a researcher's career.”

Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR and Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care, said: "The NIHR Research Professorship is one of our most prestigious career awards. The award funds outstanding researchers to help address the major health and care issues of today and in the future, strengthening health, public health and care research leadership at the highest academic levels. I congratulate this cohort and look forward to seeing the impact their research will have on people and communities.”

Transformative award for clinical academics

Since 2011, 73 people have been successful in gaining the competitive award. Many have gone on to become senior research leaders. This includes Professor Lucy Chappell. 

The NIHR Research Professorship is seen as transformative in a researcher's career. A survey of active and complete award holders from 2011-2022 found it:

• increases their academic reputation and influence
• helps progress careers by facilitating access to leadership roles
• leads to the development of important collaborations in the UK and internationally
• is seen as one of the most prestigious funding schemes for clinical academics
• helps develop leaders and build capacity

The award has also helped raise the profile and improve the understanding of different diseases. One NIHR Research Professor explained how it “transformed the research landscape” in their field.

Former NIHR Research Professor Louise Howard said that the award had many benefits. Many of her team progressed into academic posts. Her research also influenced national policies and practice into perinatal mental health. This led to improving the lives of women, and their families. NIHR Research Professor, Amanda Daley, used her award to develop the Centre for Lifestyle Medicine and Behaviour (CLiMB). The aim of the centre is to prevent and treat chronic diseases. 

Read more about the latest Research Professorship awardees and their research.

*Pictured from left to right are: Professor Mona Bafadhel, Professor Andrew Clegg, Dr Laura Coates, Professor Emma Crosbie, Professor Lorna Fraser, Professor Michael Marks, and Dr Naureen Starling.