OU Pro-Vice Chancellor, Professor Kevin Shakesheff, elected Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences

Posted on 21 May 2024 • University news

The Academy of Medical Sciences has elected The Open University’s (OU) Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Professor Kevin Shakesheff, to its prestigious Fellowship.

58 new Fellows have been recognised for their remarkable contributions to advancing biomedical and health sciences, ground-breaking research discoveries and translating developments into benefits for patients and wider society.

The Academy of Medical Sciences is one of the four National Academies in England, alongside the British Academy, the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Professor Kevin Shakesheff joined the OU in April 2021 as Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation and is leading on areas to transform the university’s impact through initiatives such as the Open Societal Challenges, Open Business Creators and accelerating the evolution of learning through collaboration with industry, further education and international partners.

After qualifying as a pharmacist in the early 1990s and completing a PhD in Advanced Drug Delivery Systems, he began his research career under a NATO Fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 2002 he became a Professor at the University of Nottingham, later becoming the first Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Science at the University.

Professor Shakesheff is an expert in regenerative medicine and biologic therapies with over 350 publications and 13 patent families arising from his research. His invention of new biomaterials for tissue regeneration led to the formation and growth of the UK biotech company Locate Bio Ltd and the initiation of the RESTORE clinical trial for patients requiring spinal fusion in 2024

He was Chair of the National Centre for Replacement, Refinement and Reduction (NC3Rs) and through that organisation played a leading role in the enhancing science through better design of experiments that use, or ideally replace, animals. He is also a founding Director of the Festival of Science and Curiosity and was a Director of Biocity, a successful incubator for life science companies across the UK.

Professor Shakesheff said:

“I am delighted and honoured to be joining the Fellowship alongside such an exceptional group of peers. It is wonderful recognition of the teams that have helped me drive advancements in health research.

“The Academy’s mission to nurture innovations is one close to the heart of the OU, where we strive to make a tangible difference in people’s lives through our research. I look forward to working with those at the forefront of this research to drive real benefits in healthcare.”

Professor Andrew Morris PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said:

“It is an honour to welcome these brilliant minds to our Fellowship. Our new Fellows lead pioneering work in biomedical research and are driving remarkable improvements in healthcare. We look forward to working with them, and learning from them, in our quest to foster an open and progressive research environment that improves the health of people everywhere through excellence in medical science.”

The new Fellows will be formally admitted to the Academy at a ceremony on Wednesday 18 September 2024.