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Congratulations to Prof Graham Ogg and Prof Paresh Vyas who have been named National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Senior Investigators in recognition of their “outstanding contribution to clinical and applied health and social care research”. This is a tremendous achievement as these are highly competitive and prestigious awards.

Prof Ogg and Prof Vyas, prominent researchers in the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, are amongst eight principal investigators in Oxford to receive the award.

“I would like to congratulate all those colleagues whose fantastic research leadership has been recognised. Getting an NIHR Senior Investigator award is a major achievement, as the competition is very stiff,” said Prof Keith Channon, Director of the NIHR Oxford BRC.

“As well as being a reflection of the outstanding work done by these individuals, these awards are a massive endorsement of the work done in Oxford and the partnership between the University of Oxford and the two NHS trusts, embodied by our BRCs.

“Oxford awards accounted for eight of the 43 new awards and two of the 12 renewals made by the NIHR nationally - more than any of the other University-Hospitals partnerships in England,” he added.

The new NIHR Senior Investigators are:

  • Prof Paul Aveyard, Professor of Behavioural Medicine, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences
  • Prof Eleanor Barnes, Professor of Hepatology and Experimental Medicine, Nuffield department of Medicine
  • Prof Anke Ehlers, Professor of Experimental Psychopathology, Department of Experimental Psychology
  • Prof Carl Heneghan, Professor of Evidence-based Medicine, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences
  • Prof Susan Jebb, Professor of Diet and Population Health, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences
  • Prof Graham Ogg, Professor of Dermatology, MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine
  • Prof Andrew Pollard, Professor of Paediatric Infection and Immunity, Department of Paediatrics
  • Prof Paresh Vyas, Professor of Haematology, MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine

The NIHR Senior Investigators whose award was renewed are:

  • Prof Andrew Farmer, Professor of General Practice, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences
  • Prof Mark McCarthy, Professor of Diabetic Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine and Nuffield Department of Medicine 

The new Emeritus NIHR Senior Investigators are:

  • Prof Guy Goodwin, Senior Research Fellow, Department of Psychiatry
  • Prof Trisha Greenhalgh, Professor of Primary Care Health Sciences, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences
  • Prof Freddie Hamdy, Professor of Surgery, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences
  • Prof Adrian Hill, Professor of Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine
  • Prof David Mant, Emeritus Professor of General Practice, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences
  • Prof Tim Peto, Professor of Medicine, Nuffield Department of Medicine
  • Prof Peter Rothwell, Professor of Clinical Neurology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences
  • Prof John Todd, Professor of Precision Medicine, Nuffield Department of Medicine

Senior Investigators are appointed through annual competitions, informed by the advice of an international panel of experts. In total, more than 300 Senior Investigators have now been appointed, with the number of active Senior Investigator awards maintained at around 200. They form part of the NIHR Faculty.

Senior Investigators are each awarded a discretionary fund of £15k per year. In addition, NHS institutions with whom Senior Investigators are associated and which are eligible for Research Capability Funding (RCF) attract an additional amount for each of their Senior Investigators.

The role of the NIHR Senior Investigator includes contributing significantly to the NIHR as a senior leader; leading in the training and development of staff; acting as an ambassador for the NIHR in the wider healthcare system; maintaining and developing a track record of excellence in clinical and applied research; contributing to economic growth; and integrating patient and public involvement and engagement into research.