Eight staff elected to Academy of Medical Sciences

Eight professors from UCL have been recognised for their excellence in medical science with election to the Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences. Fellows are elected for outstanding contributions to the advancement of medical science, the innovative application of scientific knowledge, or for conspicuous service to healthcare. This year's total is double the number of UCL staff elected to the Academy last year ? and includes four staff from UCL Neuroscience, one of the world's leading centres for neuroscience. Professor Birchall, who becomes the first Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon to be elected to the Academy, said: "This means a lot, not just to myself, my research group and my collaborators who have supported me, but also to my speciality. "Otolaryngology (ENT) has now at least one seat at the 'top table' of UK medical science. My mission is to support the growth of a cadre of academic otolaryngologists, such that I will soon be only one of many to be honoured in this way." Professor Hart, who has worked as a social scientist in health research for nearly 30 years, said: "I'm pleased that the Academy appreciates the contribution of a range of disciplinary perspectives on health. "In sexual health and HIV some of the best work has come from researchers from very different backgrounds working together: basic scientists, clinicians, epidemiologists, and social scientists.