MRC makes an appointment

Professor Patrick Johnston becomes chair of Translational Research Group

A leading cancer clinician scientist has been appointed chair of the Translational Research Group of the Medical Research Council (MRC), which is responsible for developing and implementing the MRC’s research strategy in the UK.

Professor Patrick Johnston, Dean of the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast, will chair the body, which invests in medical research across a range of diseases and disciplines.

Announcing the appointment at Queen’s University, Sir John Savill, chief executive of the Medical Research Council, said: ‘The role as chair of the Transitional Research Group is key to its success in the UK, which is one of our main objectives. Professor Johnston is very committed to translational research; he has particular expertise in cancer and is clearly someone who has chosen a very receptive translational research environment at Queen’s.’

Professor Johnston said: ‘This appointment is not only an honour for me but also for Queen’s University and Northern Ireland. It is also a major recognition of the research work undertaken in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences.

‘It will allow me to further develop translational research across the UK and also direct research at Queen’s into areas that will be more successful.’

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