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Sixty-three of the country's leading researchers who work on significant health challenges, including cancer, obesity and diabetes, have been appointed as Senior Investigators. Senior Investigators provide leadership and expert advice to the NIHR research faculty, and act as ambassadors to promote clinical and applied people-focused research.

The scheme was launched in April 2008 when the first 100 researchers were selected from those leading NIHR applied health and social care research.

Department of Health Director General of Research and Development Professor Dame Sally C Davies announced the appointments in a keynote address to the first NIHR health research conference in Nottingham this morning.

The announcement of this year's Senior Investigators brings the total to 163 researchers. Over the next two years, the scheme will expand to over 200 researchers.

Professor Dame Sally C Davies said:

"Turning major breakthroughs into life saving treatments and cures is the great challenge of applied health research. Advances are achieved by sharing knowledge and expertise, and with strong leadership, which the NIHR Senior Investigator programme encourages and supports.

"The researchers recognised today are all leading clinical and applied health researchers. Their work is of direct relevance to people in this country, in areas such as gene therapy, cancer, Alzheimer's, obesity and stroke."

The importance of science as a national priority was recently highlighted by the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, at Oxford University on Friday 27 February 2009.

1. A full list of the Senior Investigator appointments can be viewed at:

http://www.nihr.ac.uk/faculty/Pages/faculty_senior_investigators.aspx

2. About NIHR - The National Institute for Health Research provides the framework through which the research staff and research infrastructure of the NHS in England is positioned, maintained and managed as a national research facility. The NIHR provides the NHS with the support and infrastructure it needs to conduct first-class research funded by the Government and its partners alongside high-quality patient care, education and training. Its aim is to support outstanding individuals (both leaders and collaborators), working in world class facilities (both NHS and university), conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients.

3. The successful applicants were selected in an open competition by an international panel of experts.

Wednesday 4 March 2009 11:45
Department of Health

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