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 today.
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 5 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.”
For more information please contact:
- Emma McKinney, Communications Manager (Health Sciences), University of Birmingham, tel: +44 (0) 121 414 6681, or contact the press office out of hours on +44 (0) 7789 921 165.
- Naomi Clarke, Senior Communications Officer, Academy of Medical Sciences, 020 3141 3208, 07903 158979
- The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, teachers and more than 6,500 international students from over 150 countries.
- The Academy of Medical Sciences is the independent body in the UK representing the diversity of medical science. Our elected Fellows are the UK’s leading medical scientists from hospitals, academia, industry and the public service. Our mission is to advance biomedical and health research and its translation into benefits for society. We are working to secure a future in which:
- UK and global health is improved by the best research.
- The UK leads the world in biomedical and health research, and is renowned for the quality of its research outputs, talent and collaborations.
- Independent, high quality medical science advice informs the decisions that affect society.
- More people have a say in the future of health and research.
- Our work focusses on four key objectives, promoting excellence, developing talented researchers, influencing research and policy and engaging patients, the public and professionals.
- This year Fellows were chosen from 413 candidates. The eight Sectional Committees met in March to consider potential Fellows for 2019 entry to the Academy. Three nominators from within the Fellowship must back each candidate. The Academy Registrar, Professor Philippa Saunders FRSE FMedSci, Director of Postgraduate Research, University of Edinburgh, oversees the election. 95 candidates were shortlisted for peer review. The election brings the number of Fellows to 1301.
- In 2013, the Academy released the report “Representation of women within the Academy’s Fellowship”, which scrutinised the nomination and election process for gender balance and equality.