The Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences comprises some of the UK’s leading medical researchers
Each fellow is an individual who has made substantial contributions to advancing patient health and care through research. Their election to the Fellowship recognises excellence in science, leadership and the translation of research into real-world impact.
To have not one but two Institute scientists elected in a single year is an extraordinary achievement and a moment for celebration. They are our Institute Director and leader of the Cancer Dynamics group, Professor Samra Turajlić, and leader of the Leukaemia Biology group, Professor Tim Somervaille.
Professor Samra Turajlić
Samra has been elected for her leadership in cancer medicine and genomics, and spearheading of major national and international research programmes to better understand tumour evolution and improve cancer treatment. These include large-scale studies of renal cancer and multiomic approaches to immunotherapy, all undertaken alongside her work as a clinician at the Royal Marsden and Christie hospitals.
Within our Institute ‘discovery engine’ at the heart of the Manchester Cancer Research Centre, she is steering the future of integrated basic, translational, and clinical research initiatives in the pursuit of fresh innovations to save lives from cancer.
“I share this moving recognition with the extraordinary scientists that have passed through my research groups and my many collaborators without which our work would never have been possible. The rapid advances we’re seeing in solutions to cancer are enabled by and depend on a culture of deep collaboration between academics, clinicians, technological specialists and industry. It is in this collaborative cross-disciplinary research both in Manchester and across the many sectors represented in within the Academy of Medical Sciences, where our shared knowledge and expertise can be applied to save lives.”
Professor Tim Somervaille
Tim’s election to the Academy recognises his leadership in blood cancer research and clinical practice as Senior Group Leader at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, Professor of Haematological Oncology at The University of Manchester and Honorary Consultant Haematologist at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. His work has advanced understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving myeloid blood cancers and broadened treatment options through a sustained commitment to translating biological discoveries into innovative therapies and clinical trials.
“This recognition by the Academy of Medical Sciences reflects the extraordinary dedication of everyone who has worked alongside me over the years — the scientists, clinicians and, above all, the patients who make our research possible and meaningful. I am also deeply grateful to the many members of the public who have supported Cancer Research UK and Blood Cancer UK, whose funding has underpinned my research throughout my career.
In Manchester, everything we do is ultimately about finding better treatments and improving outcomes for patients, and I have been proud to see my team contribute both to advances in our understanding of leukaemia and myeloproliferative neoplasms, and to the development of new therapeutic approaches. Within the Academy of Medical Sciences, I hope to support a strong culture of collaboration and translation, and to help champion the next generation of researchers who will build on these discoveries in ways we cannot yet imagine.”
To see our scientists recognised by the Academy of Medical Sciences is testament not just to the achievements of these individuals, but also to the incredible quality of the facilities, support services, and collaborators within our Manchester Institute that make such landmark research achievements possible. Together we form the discovery engine at the heart of the Manchester Cancer Research Centre, with many more discoveries and solutions to cancer on our horizon.
