World class Imperial researchers elected Fellows of Academy of Medical Sciences

Academics recognised for their excellence in their field - News

Tuesday 19 May 2009
By Naomi Weston

Leading medical researchers from Imperial College London have been recognised this month for their excellence in their fields, with election to the Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

Professors Neil Poulter, Michael Schneider, Marina Botto and Elio Riboli have all been recognised and join 40 other newly elected Fellows from across the UK.

Academy Fellows are elected for outstanding contributions to the advancement of medical science, for innovative application of scientific knowledge and for their conspicuous service to healthcare. The total number of Imperial Fellows is now 76.

Professor Marina Botto – Division of Medicine

Professor Botto joined Imperial in 1995 as a Lecturer in Rheumatology. She became a Professor in 2003 and is currently Head of the Rheumatology Section and Consultant Physician at the Hammersmith Campus.

Professor Botto joined Imperial in 1995

Her research focuses on understanding the role of the complement system, an important component of the innate immune system, in health and disease. In particular she is looking at how complement deficiency causes the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Commenting on the news of her Fellowship, Professor Botto said: “It is a tremendous honour to be elected as Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. I am overjoyed to join the most distinguish leaders in biomedical research. Contributing to the activity of the Academy is going to be a fantastic experience. My heartfelt thanks go to my mentor, Dr Mark Walport, for having inspired me throughout my academic career.”

Professor Michael Schneider – National Heart and Lung Institute

Professor Schneider joined Imperial in 2007 as Head of Cardiovascular Science for the National Heart and Lung Institute and became Head of the Division in January 2009. He was previously based at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.

Professor Schneider's work looks at rescuing the loss of muscle cells

His work looks at issues such as how to rescue the loss of muscle cells in damaged hearts by investigating how certain very rare cells known as cardiac progenitor cells, which can potentially regenerate heart muscle, are able to renew themselves.

On hearing the news, Professor Schneider said: “The Academy of Medical Sciences embodies all the best of UK biomedical research, and Imperial's Academy members are each extraordinarily gifted individuals. It is gratifying to receive this recognition, especially as a newcomer to the community here.”

Professor Neil Poulter – National Heart and Lung Institute

Professor Poulter joined Imperial in 1997 as Chair of Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine.

Professor Poulter said: "It is a real honour to be part of such a prestigious and influential body of medical scientists."

His research looks at short and medium-term prevention and treatment of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

“I am absolutely delighted to be elected to the Academy of Medical Sciences. It is a real honour to be part of such a prestigious and influential body of medical scientists,” he said.

Professor Elio Riboli – Division of Epidemiology, Public Health and Primary Care

Professor Riboli joined Imperial in 2005 and is currently Chair of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention and is Head of the Division of Epidemiology, Public Health and Primary Care.

His research looks at how factors such as nutrition, metabolism and physical activity affect cancer of the digestive and respiratory tract.

Professor Riboli is Head of the Division of Epidemiology, Public Health and Primary Care

Professor Riboli also leads a new Interventional Public Health Clinical Programme Group at the UK's first Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC), which is looking at new ways of improving people's health in order to prevent them developing a range of conditions.

For more information about the Academy of Medical Sciences please visit the website: www.acmedsci.ac.uk/