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Scotland’s research community welcomes new Chief Scientist (Health)

Scotland’s research community welcomes new Chief Scientist (Health)

10th June 2022

World-leading cardiovascular scientist and clinical academic, Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak, has been appointed the Scottish Government’s new Chief Scientist (Health)

Professor Dominiczak will play a key role within the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government, ensuring Scotland remains an internationally recognised home of impactful health research, development, and innovation.

Taking up post on Friday 1 July after an open recruitment exercise, Professor Dominiczak will replace previous Chief Scientist (Health), Professor David Crossman, who took up the post in November 2017. Professor Dominiczak has been appointed to the role for 3 years.

Welcoming the appointment, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Humza Yousaf said: “I am pleased to confirm the appointment of Professor Dame Dominiczak who brings a wealth of experience to the role of Chief Scientist (Health). I look forward to working together closely in the coming months and her expertise and advice will be crucial as we continue our recovery from the pandemic. I would like to thank outgoing Chief Scientist (Health) Professor David Crossman for his years of valuable public service and wish him well for the future.”

Professor Dominiczak said of her appointment: “I am delighted to take up the role of Chief Scientist (Health) and to have the opportunity to work with the renowned Scottish health research, development, and innovation community. I look forward to ensuring that health research, development and innovation takes a central role in the modernisation of the NHS in Scotland.”

Dr Charles Weller, General Manager, NHS Research Scotland said: “The research community across Scotland will join me in welcoming the appointment of Professor Dame Dominiczak to the role of Chief Scientist (Health). This is an important role in continuing our pandemic recovery aims, and building a more resilient, adaptable and innovative research system with clinical research at the heart of patient care across the NHS. 

“We look forward to working in partnership with Professor Dominiczak to deliver on this vital work.

“In welcoming her, we would also like to thank Professor David Crossman for his enduring work, especially in supporting the community through the coronavirus pandemic, where colleagues worked tirelessly to deliver over 300 studies across Scotland into COVID-19, advancing our understanding of the virus and leading to vital treatments and vaccines.”

 

Background

Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak is Regius Professor of Medicine at the University of Glasgow; Honorary Consultant Physician and Endocrinologist at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde; and Health Innovation Champion for the Medical Research Council. In 2016, she was awarded a DBE for services to cardiovascular and medical science.

Professor Dominiczak is currently seconded to the UK Health Security Agency in the UK Government as Director of Laboratories. In March 2020, she successfully led the establishment of the Lighthouse Laboratory in Glasgow (LLiG), leading to her current role where she continued to expand the Lighthouse laboratory network. She was responsible for the UK labs testing capability across a coordinated network of 10 labs.

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