2022 NIHR Senior Investigators appointments announced
In March 2022, the NIHR announced the appointment of 55 NIHR Senior Investigators in the 15th round of awards.
Four University academics from the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences have been newly appointed to the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) College of Senior Investigators for 2022.
The new NIHR Senior Investigator appointments:
Professor Enitan Carrol
Principal Investigator in Clinical Infection, Microbiology & Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Enitan is a Professor of Paediatric Infection, and Honorary Consultant in Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. Enitan’s research interests include understanding host response mechanisms to serious bacterial infections, improving antimicrobial stewardship using biomarker-guided algorithms, and improving recognition of clinical deterioration, including sepsis. Her work involves collaborations locally, nationally and internationally.
Professor Carrol had this to say about receiving this award:
“I am delighted that my research has been recognised with this prestigious award, and immensely grateful to the NIHR for over a decade of generous funding. I am privileged to work with a superb research team at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust; together, we have achieved some impactful research, and this award is for them too. I owe an immense debt of gratitude to a few mentors who impacted my early career in extraordinary ways, and without whose unwavering support and guidance, I would not be here today. I hope that through my role as an NIHR Senior Investigator, I can continue to be a role model and mentor for women in clinical academia.“
Professor Nigel Cunliffe
Principal Investigator in Clinical Infection, Microbiology & Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Nigel is Professor of Medical Microbiology at the University of Liverpool and Honorary Consultant Microbiologist at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. He is Director of the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Gastrointestinal Infections at the University of Liverpool (http://www.hprugi.nihr.ac.uk). Nigel’s research interest focuses on the epidemiology and prevention of diarrhoeal diseases. His work with the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Clinical Research Programme (https://www.mlw.mw), spanning 25 years, has informed the introduction of rotavirus vaccines in low income, high disease burden countries.
“Gastrointestinal infections remain a leading cause of illness and death across the world. I am delighted that our research to reduce this disease burden has been recognised through this prestigious award. I am incredibly grateful to the very many colleagues who have helped me along this journey through their outstanding support, mentorship and collaboration”.
Professor Cunliffe expressed:
“I am thrilled to receive this prestigious award. Gastrointestinal infections remain a leading cause of illness and death across the world. I am delighted that our research to reduce this disease burden, conducted through the University of Liverpool over a 25 year period has been acknowledged.”
Professor Tony Marson
Professor of Neurology Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology
Tony is Professor of Neurology at the University of Liverpool, Honorary Consultant Neurologist at The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Director of Research Programmes at Liverpool Health Partners, and ARC NWC Person Centred Complex Care theme lead. He is a Liverpool graduate (School of 1990) and also completed his clinical training here. He leads the Liverpool Epilepsy Research Group, where his research has focussed on developing and asessing treatments and interventions for epilepsy. This work informs policy and clinical practice worldwide; he has led the largest clinical trials in epilepsy and is the Coordinating Editor of the Cochrane Epilepsy Group (all NIHR Funded), and leads national and international audits that highlight fundamental problems with the coordination and delivery of care that need to be fixed to reduce health inequalities. He has also made an significant contribution to international consortia that are trying to untangle the genetic architecture of the epilepsies and related disorders.
Professor Marson said:
"I am delighted to become an NIHR Senior Investigator, having had the privilege of working with excellent colleagues and friends from a range of disciplines in Liverpool, the UK and internationally. The primary aims being to improve our understanding of the causes, treatment, and delivery of services for people with epilepsy and other neurological conditions, whilst training and enthusing the next generation of researchers."
Professor Andrew Weeks
Professor of International Maternal Health, Department of Women's & Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences.
In his role as Professor of International Maternal Health and Director of the Sanyu Research Unit, Andrew currently leads on a portfolio of clinical trials in maternal and newborn health worth close to £10 million with trial sites in India, Uganda and the UK. Andrew is motivated by his firm belief that high quality, respectful care must reach every mother and newborn, in every setting. His particular research interests are in postpartum haemorrhage, misoprostol and the management of labour. In recent years he has also been involved in developing novel medical technologies and has had 3 clinical device patents.
As well as leading on internationally recognised research, Andrew also works clinically as a Consultant Obstetrician in the Liverpool Women’s Hospital.
Dot Lambert, BabyGel Programme Manager in the Sanyu Research Unit said, "The NIHR Senior Investigator award recognises outstanding leaders in translational research, who have demonstrated research excellence with pioneering impact. We are all extremely proud of Professor Weeks on receiving this prominent award for his unwavering and continuous dedication to the health and wellbeing of women and newborns across the globe.”
NIHR Senior Investigator reappointment:
Professor Robert Sutton
Professor of Surgery Molecular & Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology
Emeritus Senior Investigator:
Professor Paula Williamson
Professor of Medical Statistics, Institute of Population Health