Susan Watts

Four group heads at the MRC’s Clinical Sciences Centre (CSC) have been promoted to become senior MRC Programme Leaders.

Enrique “Fadri” Martinez-Perez, Oliver Howes, Irene Miguel-Aliaga and James Leiper were all successful, and will take up their new roles immediately. Martinez-Perez studies the mechanisms behind miscarriage and birth defects, Howes specialises in the causes of mental illness and how best to improve treatment, Miguel–Aliaga on the nature of biological signals between our nervous and digestive systems and Leiper on novel ways to treat cardio-metabolic disorders.

Recognition at this level requires group heads to have attained an international scientific reputation, and the MRC to be convinced of their potential to make an impact over the long term.

“It’s a tough process, with interviews by members of the MRC Research Boards as well as external experts from the candidates’ research field. We’re delighted that four of our group heads have been recognised for their recent achievements through these promotions,” Carole Swan, head of operations at the CSC, said on Monday.

Leiper said he is pleased to have reached a position that he’s aspired to since his earliest days at the CSC, as a PhD student: “Becoming an MRC-tenured scientist means you can take on the high-risk blue sky projects, and that’s not an opportunity you find very frequently in research.”

“I’m curious and excited to see what discoveries our scientific freedom turns into in the next five year,” Miguel-Aliaga said about the new posts.

Martinez-Perez said the appointment gives him stability that means he can now plan research with a five-year perspective. For Oliver Howes this is “a fantastic opportunity for us to advance understanding of what causes severe mental illnesses, and ultimately improve outcomes for people in real need.”

Swan added: “It really underlines the quality of the research that is being undertaken in groups at all levels within the CSC, as well as the fantastic opportunities that the Institute environment offers for developing a new generation of scientific leaders.”

For further information, contact:

Susan Watts
Head of Public Engagement and Communications
MRC Clinical Sciences Centre
Du Cane Road
London W12 0NN
T:  0208 383 8247
M: 07590 250652
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