The Academy of Medical Sciences has elected University of Birmingham Professor Arri Coomarasamy as one of 50 of the UK’s leading figures within biomedical and health sciences to their esteemed Fellowship, it has been announced.
The Fellows have been selected for their outstanding contributions to advancing medical science, cutting edge research discoveries, and translating developments into benefits for patients and wider society. Many of the new Fellows have also made a contribution to medical science through outstanding leadership, public engagement and supporting the career advancement of junior trainees.
Professor Coomarasamy, of the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, leads a research group at the forefront of early pregnancy care, reproductive medicine and global women’s health.
Also Director of the Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, Professor Coomarasamy’s portfolio includes leading numerous national and international multicentre randomised controlled trials and he has published over 160 medical articles in high impact journals, including five in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Professor Coomarasamy takes particular pride in mentoring junior doctors and researchers, and several of his trainees have become outstanding clinicians and researchers.
Professor Coomarasamy serves, or has in the past served, on several international and national committees, including the BJOG editorial board, the RCOG Wellbeing of Women Research Panel, various WHO committees, the Early Pregnancy Clinical Studies Group, the Reproductive Medicine Clinical Studies Group, and the GLOW organising committee. He is the founding trustee of Ammalife, a UK-registered charity with a global mission of reducing maternal deaths in low-income countries.
Professor Arri Coomarasamy, of the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, said: “I am honoured to have been elected as a Fellow of the Academy. The Academy is at the forefront of advancing medical science, which directly or indirectly benefits patient care.
“What particularly draws me to the Academy is the investment it makes in junior researchers. They will solve the problems of tomorrow in an ever-changing world and their breakthroughs will shape our world. I am looking forward to contributing to the great work the Academy does.”
Professor David Adams FMedSci, University of Birmingham Pro-Vice Chancellor and Head of the College of Medical and Dental Sciences, said: "I am delighted to hear that Professor Arri Coomarasamy has been elected a fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
"This is a tremendous accolade for Arri and richly deserved. The Academy’s Fellowship encompasses the best biomedical and health researchers from across the UK and beyond and election is highly competitive and based entirely on academic excellence. With his outstanding reputation in maternal health, and given the global reach of his research, Arri brings an important and unique expertise to the Academy."
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.”
Find out more