The researchers join 41 newly appointed and 16 reappointed leaders from a range of specialties and disciplines including paediatrics, podiatry, dentistry, nursing and midwifery. 

Senior Investigators are among the most outstanding and influential researchers funded by NIHR. They are recognised for the quality and global reach of their research. They also help mentor the next generation, strengthen research culture and embed inclusion. 

This prestigious Senior Investigator Award provides funding to support their research while they undertake a senior leadership role within the NIHR, helping to shape national strategy and policy. 

Commenting on this recognition, Professor Alan Smyth, Dean and Head of the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast, said:

“I am delighted to join the faculty of Senior Investigators and to bring my expertise to patient-focussed research across the UK. It is an honour to represent Northern Ireland in this role.” 

Commenting on the announcement, Professor Ronan McMullan, Clinical Professor from the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine at Queen’s University Belfast, commented:

“It is a privilege to become a Senior Investigator and I look forward to sharing the benefits of being part of NIHR Faculty with both colleagues and patients in Northern Ireland.”

Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR and Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care, said: "By recognising leaders across the breadth of health and care, we are reinforcing NIHR's commitment to supporting excellence wherever it is found and ensuring that research leadership mirrors the communities and professions it serves.  

"Senior Investigators make a significant impact to the NIHR and the wider research landscape and I look forward to seeing the contributions and impact they make across health and care research." 

Media

Media inquiries to Sian Devlin at s.devlin@qub.ac.uk