Cystic Fibrosis Trust funded researchers elected to prestigious society

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Two cystic fibrosis (CF) researchers have been elected to become Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences. The Fellows are an elite group of researchers recognised for their exceptional contribution to advancing biomedical science. These experts are making innovative and exciting progress in tackling some of the key questions to improve our understanding and treatment of cystic fibrosis.

Last week, the Academy of Medical Sciences announced the names of 50 new Fellows who have been elected to join the Academy. Two of those elected are working in cystic fibrosis research:  Professor Stuart Elborn, currently pro-vice chancellor of Queens University Belfast, who has had a long career in CF care and research; and Professor Ludovic Vallier, Professor of Regenerative Medicine and co-deputy director of the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, who has been using his stem cell expertise to develop new models of CF-affected lungs.

Promoting a better understanding of CF

For two decades, Professor Elborn has been a leading international clinician and scientist in cystic fibrosis. He has developed and led a number of CF centres in hospitals around the UK, as well as leading on many research studies and clinical trials on topics such as microbiology and inflammation. Throughout his career, Prof Elborn has mentored many colleagues, and guided and supported the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, as both a Trustee and as Chair of our Research Advisory Committee.

Professor Elborn told us: “I am very honoured to have been elected to the Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences. The Academy champions the importance of scientific research in Health and Life sciences.

“In all my research in CF I have been inspired by the importance of putting people with CF at the centre of research and working with them to improve quality-of-life and survival. As part of the Academy I will continue to promote team science focused on the better understanding of disease in the development of new treatments in cystic fibrosis and other diseases.”

Aiming to discovery new therapies for CF

Professor Ludovic Vallier is a principal investigator of the UK CF Innovation Hub based Cambridge University. The overall aim of the Innovation Hub is to improve the lung health of people with cystic fibrosis. Professor Vallier’s lab is using stem cells to develop sophisticated models of CF to allow us to develop future personalised medicines and, in the longer term, to develop lung cell grafts to repair damaged lungs in cystic fibrosis.

“To become a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences is an amazing recognition for the research developed by my group” commented Professor Vallier. “This award also acknowledges our translational work including our objective to discover a new therapy against cystic fibrosis”.

The new Fellows have been chosen for their exceptional contributions to advancing biomedical science via world-leading research discoveries, running national science communication and engagement programmes, and translating scientific advances into benefits for patients and the public. You can read more about the latest Fellows to join the Academy of Medical Sciences on the Academy’s website.

To help the Trust fund vital research like this and support people with CF during the COVID-19 pandemic, make a donation today.

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