Honorary Officers 2026
Professor Andrew Morris CBE FRSE PMedSci, Professor of Medicine and Vice Principal of Data Science, University of Edinburgh and Director Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) (President)
Professor James Naismith FRS FRSE FMedSci, Head, Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS) Division, University of Oxford (Vice President, Non-Clinical)
Professor David Adams FMedSci, Emeritus Professor of Hepatology, University of Birmingham (Registrar)
Professor Rosalind Smyth CBE FMedSci, Vice Dean (Research), Faculty of Population Health Sciences, University College London and Honorary Consultant Respiratory Paediatrician, Great Ormond Street Hospital (Vice President, Clinical)
Professor Michael Hanna FMedSci, Director, Institute of Neurology, University College London (Treasurer)
Professor Shakila Thangaratinam FMedSci, Professor of Womens Health, University of Liverpool (Vice President, International)
Ordinary members 2026
Professor Deborah Ashby OBE FMedSci, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London
Professor David Burn FMedSci, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University
Professor Sir John Iredale FRSE FMedSci, Professor of Experimental Medicine, University of Bristol
Professor Helen McShane FMedSci, Professor of Vaccinology and Deputy Head, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford
Professor Peter Openshaw CBE FMedSci, Professor of Experimental Medicine and Proconsul, Imperial College London
Professor Jugnoo Rahi FMedSci, Professor of Ophthalmic Epidemiology, University College London and Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
Professor Philippa Saunders FRSE FMedSci, Professor of Reproductive Steroids, University of Edinburgh
Professor Guy Thwaites MBE FMedSci, Professor of Infectious Diseases, University of Oxford
Professor Catherine Williamson FMedSci, Professor of Women’s Health, Imperial College London
Co-opted members 2026
Professor Tim Aitman FRSE FMedSci, Professor of Molecular Pathology and Genetics, University of Edinburgh
Professor Sheena Radford OBE FRS FMedSci, Professor of Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds
Emerging Research Leader observers 2026
To be confirmed
Patient observers
To broaden the diversity of voices on the Academy’s governing body, during 2020 and 2021, the Academy implemented a pilot scheme through which researchers benefitting from Academy careers programmes served on Council. Their purpose was to provide valuable perspective and representation from a major sector of Academy stakeholders. In 2021 Council approved the continuation and formalisation of this scheme with successive cohorts identified through a transparent and competitive process overseen by the Academy’s Nominations Committee.
As a continuation of this work in 2023 we began a two-year pilot programme to bring patient and lived experience voices into our governance discussions by supporting two individuals to participate in Council meetings as Patient observers.
Emerging Research Leader and Patient observers to Council do not take on trusteeship of the Academy and do not have voting rights on Council decisions. Appointments are for one year in the first instance, renewable for a consecutive year, subject to Council agreement.