Professor Gerry McCann has been awarded a prestigious National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Senior Investigator award to advance his healthcare work.
Professor McCann is a heart specialist with a subspecialist interest in MRI scanning. He conducts experimental research in people to better understand heart disease and clinical trials to assess the optimal investigation strategies and treatments for patients with, or at risk of developing, heart disease.
He is also the Cardiovascular theme lead for NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, past-chair of the British Society of Cardiovascular MRI research group and lead of the PHOSP-COVID cardiovascular working group and East Midlands Cardiovascular Clinical Research network.
The award brings with it £20,000 per annum towards his research for the next four years.
Professor McCann said: “I am delighted to receive this award. It reflects the quality of research we have led in Leicester in studying patients with or at risk of heart disease including those with coronary heart disease, heart failure, heart valve disease and diabetes.
“The Senior Investigator Award follows on from my successful NIHR Research Professorship. I will use the money to support training for members of my research team and to initiate research studies that can help improve quality life for patients in Leicestershire and beyond, working closely with the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre and our BHF Centre of Research Excellence based at Glenfield hospital.”
Professor Melanie Davies, CBE, Director of the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, said: “Senior Investigators are among the most prominent and prestigious researchers funded by the NIHR and are considered among the most outstanding leaders of patient and people-based research within the health research community.
“Professor McCann has been recognised for his contribution to the life-changing work he is carrying out here in Leicester.”
As well as demonstrating research excellence Professor McCann will contribute to the NIHR in training and development of the next generation of health researchers.
Professor Tom Robinson, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Life Sciences at the University of Leicester and an NIHR Senior Investigator, said: “This award demonstrates the amazing work taking place here in Leicester every day to make a difference to people’s lives and is thoroughly deserved by Professor McCann for his commitment and dedication.”