Professor Roy Bicknell has taken over from Professor Paulus Kirchhof as Director of the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, supported by two Deputy Directors, Professor Ed Rainger (Deputy Director of Research) and Dr Victoria Heath (Deputy Director of Teaching).
Professor Bicknell, who completed his degree and doctorate at the University of Oxford and has published over 300 papers in the field of angiogenesis, brings with him a wealth of experience and looks forward to the exciting and challenging time ahead as Director. His priorities are to further enhance and develop the Institute’s excellent reputation providing the highest quality research-led education experience to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as attracting the best international researchers to lead the way in cutting edge cardiovascular translational research for the benefit of patients and society.
The Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences is part of the College of Medical and Dental Sciences and has a wide portfolio of research. It includes both clinical and non-clinical academics as well as affiliated independent investigators with primary appointments in other institutes within the College. Its main research areas include atrial fibrillation, heart failure, thrombo-inflammation and vascular biology. The Institute has received a British Heart Foundation (BHF) Accelerator Award in recognition of its excellent in cardiovascular research.
“I am honoured to be given this interim role and actively look forward to working with Steve, Ed and Victoria in building a world renown Cardiovascular Research Institute,” said Professor Bicknell.
Professor Kirchhof, who started his new role as Director of the Department of Cardiology and Chair in Cardiology at the University Heart Center Hamburg on 1 April 2020, will pass on the role of Director of the British Heart Foundation Accelerator Grant, awarded to the Institute in 2019, to Professor Steve Watson who holds a British Heart Foundation Professorship.
Professor Kirchhof, who will continue to carry out research in Birmingham, stated: “I am delighted to see that our exciting research and teaching continues in the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences under an excellent new leadership team.”