Prestigious Academy of Medical Sciences Professorship for proteomics expert
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Professor Richard Scheltema, Chair of Structural Proteomics and Co-Director of the Centre for Proteome Research, has been awarded a prestigious Professorship by the Academy of Medical Sciences.
Professor Scheltema joined the University in 2024, bringing with him a wealth of expertise in Proteomics. An accomplished analytical scientist, his interdisciplinary research combines mass spectrometry, bioinformatics, and chemistry to investigate the complex dynamics of proteins. He collaborates closely with industry and has developed and commercialized both data analysis software and innovative chemistry for analytical mass spectrometry, which are now in use worldwide.
Professor Claire Eyers, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research & Impact), Faculty of Health and Life Sciences said: “It’s a testament to Richard’s analytical expertise and his strengths in applying these cutting-edge proteomics technologies to address unmet healthcare challenges relevant to the Liverpool City Region that has the resulted in this prestigious award.”
The AMS Professorship scheme is designed to attract and retain outstanding emerging leaders from around the world, strengthening the UK’s biomedical research landscape. Supported by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the initiative provides flexible funding to individuals either newly appointed to or about to begin full Professorships.
At the University of Liverpool, Professor Scheltema leads research at the forefront of mass spectrometry innovation, developing and applying advanced technologies to investigate molecular changes linked to health, disease, and ageing. His work is driven by the goal of identifying new protein targets to support the development of therapeutics that promote healthy aging.
This is an important topic, as by 2030 it is estimated that 17% of the global population will be over the age of 65, with this figure expected to double by 2050. Ageing is accompanied by structural and functional deterioration, much of which stems from cumulative cellular damage and chronic inflammation—factors that significantly increase the risk of life-threatening diseases such as cancer. Respiratory diseases alone for example affect 1 in 5 people in the UK and are the third leading cause of death. This issue is especially severe in North West England, where lung-related mortality rates are among the highest nationally, contributing significantly to an annual healthcare cost of £11 billion across the UK.
Professor Richard Scheltema said: “This award is fantastic news, as it enables me to dive into research questions relevant for the region. I will be specifically concentrating on healthy ageing—an area of growing importance as the UK faces the challenges of a rapidly ageing population. Securing the AMS professorship will stabilize and expand my team, vital for the success of this and many other projects.”
Detection of age-related changes in tissue enables the identification of therapeutic targets that may support healthy ageing. This approach also has broader implications, such as associating proteins currently used as disease biomarkers or indicators of treatment progression with age-specific profiles. Preliminary findings indicate that a commonly used biomarker exhibits an age-related pattern, providing insights that could inform future clinical practices.
Professor James Naismith FRS FRSE FMedSci, Vice-President (Non-Clinical) at the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: “We are proud to support Professor Richard Scheltema through our Professorship scheme. His pioneering work in proteomics exemplifies the kind of bold, interdisciplinary research that will shape the future of biomedical science.
"By investing in researchers at this pivotal stage, we’re helping to build a research ecosystem that is globally competitive, collaborative and equipped to tackle the most urgent health challenges. We’re pleased to work closely with institutions like the University of Liverpool to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of medical research and delivers better health for all.”