Professor Tom Harrison elected to Academy of Medical Sciences
Published: 16 May 2022
Professor Tom Harrison, Deputy Director of the Institute for Infection and Immunity at St George’s, University of London has been elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
The Academy of Medical Sciences, established in the UK in 1998, aims to advance biomedical and health research and its translation into benefits for society and encourages public understanding and dialogue about the medical sciences.
Being awarded a Fellowship indicates that the Academy recognises an individual’s outstanding contributions to the progress of medical science and the development of better healthcare.
Professor Harrison has been awarded his Fellowship in recognition of his years of work in Global Health, including leading on ground-breaking trials on the prevention and treatment of cryptococcal meningitis. His work has involved collaborations with colleagues across the UK and study sites in Sub-Saharan Africa – with significant impacts on reducing deaths from the disease.
Professor Harrison has also been involved in clinical trials aimed at simplifying and reducing the duration of treatment for tuberculosis (TB), and, until very recently, led the multi-drug resistant TB service and research programme at St George’s Hospital.
Speaking on his award, he said: “I’m delighted to have been awarded a Fellowship. It’s an honour to be considered amongst the other incredible researchers elected to the Academy.
“I see this nomination as not just a personal achievement, but one for the whole team of researchers I have worked with over the years, without whom, this wouldn’t have been possible. I look forward to continuing our work at St George’s, helping to improve health outcomes and ensuring that any such improvements are available and sustainable in the high burden, low income settings where they’re needed most.”
You can read more about the work of Professor Harrison and team to beat cryptococcal meningitis in our Transformation Story.