Professor Deenan Pillay: directing the path for biomedical research

Professor Deenan Pillay has recently taken on the role of Director at the UCLH/UCL National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre (CBRC). Here we find out more about the centre's work and what Professor Pillay will be focusing on as he embarks on the post. Q: Can you give some background to the history of the centre? The National Institute of Health Research is a component of the Department of Health, and was established in 2006, following a review of NHS based research. The UCLH/UCL bid was led by Professor Ian Jacobs, and involved an internal competitive process for selection of themes displaying research excellence, and potential for future expansion. The centre now incorporates 17 themes, extending from neurodiagnostics, through to health services research, and even education. Research activity is funded through programmed activity as well as through competitive calls for project grant funding and this is coordinated through the UCLH/UCL Research & Development Unit, led by Professor Monty Mythen. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Ian's superb leadership in successfully bidding for the centre, and establishing a well functioning, and resourced set of research programmes.