A respiratory consultant from Leicester’s Hospitals has been elected to join the prestigious Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
Christopher Brightling, who is also a professor of respiratory medicine at the University of Leicester, is among 50 of the UK’s world leading researchers to receive the distinction this year. The addition of Professor Brightling onto the roll brings the total number of Fellows from Leicester up to thirteen.
Professor Brightling leads the respiratory theme of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, based at Glenfield Hospital. His research interests include investigating the role of Fevipiprant, a non-steroidal asthma medicine, on the reduction of smooth muscle in the airways. He is also working on refining a urine test that can alert patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) when they are likely to have an exacerbation of their symptoms.
Professor Brightling said: “I feel honoured to be recognised among this prestigious group of people, many of whom have had a big impact on me throughout my career. I would like to thank the members of the Fellowship who supported my nomination, and all the members of the research team from the hospital and university in Leicester for their hard work towards our goal of improving respiratory health in our patients.”
The new Fellows have been elected for their outstanding contributions to biomedical and health science, leading research discoveries, and translating developments into benefits for patients and the wider society. They are also recognised for their leadership and for supporting the career advancement of junior trainees.
This year’s elected Fellows have expertise that spans global health, virology, women’s health, medical statistics, health policy, cancer genetics, allergy and emergency care medicine, among many other fields.
Professor Sir Robert Lechler PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences said: “The Academy’s Fellowship is a unique assembly of the finest minds in biomedical and health research, from across the UK and beyond. Our Fellows are at the centre of all that we do, from supporting early career researchers via our hugely popular mentorship programme to incorporating public and patient views into health research. Their collective wisdom is a national asset to guide research and policy aimed at tackling pressing health challenges.
“It brings me great pleasure to congratulate the new Fellows, each of whom has pushed the boundaries of their individual research field. I am always delighted to see the Fellowship expand, adding fresh talent to our invaluable pool of high quality guidance, advice and expertise.”
Professor Philippa Saunders FRSE FMedSci, Registrar of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: “The Academy continues to ensure that the diversity of medical science is represented in the Fellowship. This year we are particularly pleased to celebrate the highest percentage of women the Academy has ever elected in one year, taking us a step closer to our goal of gender parity.
“Nineteen of the new Fellows are women, representing 38 per cent of all Fellows elected in 2019, the highest percentage of women ever elected in one year. Twenty per cent of the new Fellows are non-UK nationals, coming from seven countries and four continents. We are pleased that this year’s election figures take us closer to a more equal Fellowship with regards to the number of men to women Fellows, and have an international spread. The Academy is committed to working towards diversity and equality of opportunity in everything we do.”
The new Fellows will be formally admitted to the Academy at a ceremony on 26 June 2019.
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