The Royal Society has elected 44 new fellows including two with
close links to UKCMRI.
Sir Mark Walport was appointed Director of the Wellcome Trust in
2003. Before joining the Trust he was Professor of Medicine and
Head of the Division of Medicine at Imperial College London, where
he led a research group focusing on the immunology and genetics of
rheumatic diseases. He received a knighthood in the 2009 New Year
Honours List for services to medical research.
Dr Steve Gamblin is a group leader at the MRC National Institute
for Medical Research in London - now part of the Francis
Crick Institute. His research has provided critical insights
into the fundamental mechanisms underlying cell signalling and
disease processes. He uses a combination of structural, biophysical
and functional studies to understand molecules involved in diseases
such as influenza, diabetes and cancer. In particular, his
work has revealed how mutations in the influenza virus make one
anti-viral drug more effective than another, thus helping define
government policy on the stockpiling of anti-influenza drugs.
Sir Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society and Chief
Executive and Director of UKCMRI said: "It is a pleasure to welcome
this year's new Fellows to the Royal Society. They join the ranks
of the UK and Commonwealth's leading scientists, counting
themselves among early Fellows such as Isaac Newton, Robert Boyle
and Charles Darwin. The Society aims to expand the frontiers of
knowledge by championing the development and use of science,
mathematics, engineering and medicine for the benefit of humanity
and the good of the planet. It is the contribution of excellent
individuals such as these which makes this possible."