Professor elected chair of prestigious academy
The Academy of Medical Sciences has elected Professor Andrew Morris as its new President.
The Edinburgh scientist, who is also Professor of Medicine and Vice Principal of Data Science at the University, will take up the role from 25 April 2024, succeeding Professor Dame Anne Johnson.
Professor Morris, who was elected to the Academy in 2009, is recognised internationally as a leader in the field of informatics and non-communicable diseases. He has published more than 350 original papers and attracted more than £200 million in grant funding.
Data leadership
Since 2017, Professor Morris has been the inaugural Director of Health Data Research UK (HDR UK), the national Institute of health data science.
Under his leadership, HDR UK has worked in partnership with the NHS, industry, charities and universities to realise the potential of the UK’s wealth of health data in life-changing research.
Prestigious post
The Academy of Medical Sciences is an independent, expert voice of biomedical and health research in the UK.
Fellows include some of the most influential scientists in the UK and worldwide, drawn from the NHS, academia, industry, and the public service.
Its mission is to improve the health of people everywhere by creating an open and progressive research sector.
The Academy of Medical Sciences is the pre-eminent UK authority and a dynamic and influential force in biomedical and health research. It’s a great honour to be taking on the role of President of this influential institution at time of great change and opportunity.
Pandemic role
During the pandemic, Professor Morris chaired the Scottish Government COVID-19 Advisory Group.
He worked in partnership with peers across the UK and internationally to boost understanding of the evolving COVID-19 situation and its potential impacts in Scotland. He ensured that the best data and evidence, as well as the most up-to-date scientific and technical concepts and processes, were applied in tackling the emergency.
As Chief Scientist, he has promoted Scotland as a single research site and led policy development in medical bioinformatics, which enabled medical data to be linked with biological and imaging data.
We need to continue to support the next generation of world-leading scientists and show how excellence in science can power improved NHS and social care services. Importantly, this work must be underpinned by a new era of inclusivity, where patients and the public work alongside the Fellowship to play an active role in shaping the future of medical science, championing equality, diversity, and inclusion at every turn.