May 2025: Many congratulations to Professors Melita Gordon and Rob Semple who are among 54 new fellows recently annnounced. Exceptional biomedical and health scientists The Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) is a prominent UK institution focused on advancing biomedical and health research. It works to improve public health by promoting research excellence, bridging gaps between academia, industry, and the healthcare system, and facilitating dialogue between scientists and policymakers. The new Fellows have been recognised for their remarkable contributions to advancing medical science, groundbreaking research discoveries and translating developments into benefits for patients and the wider public. The expertise of Fellows elected spans a wide range of clinical and non-clinical disciplines, from infectious disease and stem cell biology to veterinary medicine and dementia research. They join an esteemed Fellowship of 1,450 researchers, which includes nurturing the next generation of scientists and shaping research and health policy in the UK and worldwide. Professor Melita Gordon Professor Melita Gordon has recently joined the University of Edinburgh. She is a clinical researcher who has worked in Malawi on invasive Salmonella disease since 1997. Melita has worked towards vaccines for Typhoid and other invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) vaccines for 3 decades, leading a translational programme of work based in Malawi, spanning epidemiology, pathogenesis and host response, pathogen genomics, and leading into vaccine trials. She places particular emphasis on training the next generation of local and international scientists in Africa. I am very honoured and gratified that this programme of work in Global Health has been recognised by the Academy, because it is focused on diseases affecting profoundly under-resourced communities, and has been the result of many years of collaboration and partnership, within Malawi and internationally. I hope that representation in the Academy of Medical Sciences will help to further advance the scientific and public understanding of these invasive infections, and to increase the beneficial impacts of vaccination and other measures to reduce the burden of diseases in Africa. Melita Gordon AXA Chair of Vaccinology and Global Health, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh Professor Rob Semple Although characteristically modest about his achievements, Rob Semple has been elected for his work in translational molecular medicine. His research focuses on rare and severe hormonal and metabolic disorders caused by changes in single genes. His lab has discovered numerous genetic diseases featuring diabetes, low blood glucose or insulin resistance, with findings that improve understanding of common conditions linked to obesity. He is a supervisor on the Wellcome Trust One Health Models of Disease PhD programme. I am very proud to have been recognised in this way by my peers. As ever, I am incredibly grateful to the many talented researchers, both clinical and fundamental, who have passed through my lab over the years. I am acutely conscious that it is their efforts that I am in part being recognised for. I’m excited to join the fellowship for the engagement and collaboration with interesting and engaged senior researchers which it offers, and also so I can play my role in supporting the next generations to grow and thrive as their talents deserve through the Academy’s wonderful funding and mentorship schemes.” Rob Semple Professor of Translational Molecular Medicine, Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh Related links Professor Melita GordonProfessor Rob SempleAcademy of Medical SciencesUsher InstituteCentre for Cardiovascular Science This article was published on 2025-05-26
