Five GOSH clinicians recognised with professorial appointments at UCL

Five clinician researchers from GOSH have been promoted to professor by University College London (UCL), recognising their outstanding contributions to research, innovation and child health.

The appointments span five clinical directorates and a diverse range of specialties, reflecting the breadth of academic excellence across GOSH and the strength of the GOSH-UCL partnership.

Together, the newly appointed professors are advancing treatments for childhood cancer, pioneering novel surgical technologies, developing gene therapies for rare diseases, improving mental healthcare for children and young people, and transforming understanding of sight-threatening eye conditions.

Professor Sara Ghorashian is a Consultant Paediatric Haematologist whose work is helping to transform treatment options for children with blood cancers. She has played a leading role in the development of CAR T-cell therapies and continues to pioneer new approaches for children whose disease has relapsed or becomes resistant to conventional treatments.

Professor Stefano Giuliani is an internationally recognised neonatal and paediatric surgeon whose research combines surgery, imaging and technology to improve outcomes for children undergoing complex procedures. He leads innovative work developing image-guided surgical techniques that help surgeons operate with greater precision and confidence.

Professor Julien Baruteau is a Consultant Metabolic Paediatrician at GOSH whose research focuses on inherited metabolic disorders and gene therapies for rare diseases. He has established himself as a leader in developing innovative treatments for conditions that have historically had limited therapeutic options. This year, Julien led a groundbreaking clinical trial that saw the first patient in the world treated with a new investigational gene therapy for OTC deficiency, a rare and potentially life-threatening genetic condition.

Professor Ameenat Lola Solebo is a Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist and clinician scientist whose work is improving understanding and treatment of childhood eye diseases. Her research brings together ophthalmology, epidemiology and data science to generate evidence that improves care for children with rare and sight-threatening conditions. Her recent work has helped uncover new insights into arthritis-associated eye disease, creating opportunities for future treatments that could help preserve children's vision.

Professor Lee Hudson is a Consultant General Paediatrician whose work focuses on child and adolescent health, particularly the relationship between physical and mental health. He is a nationally recognised expert in eating disorders and mental health care for children and young people. His research has provided important evidence on the growing demand for mental health services and the pressures facing young people, helping to shape future care and support.

These appointments highlight the unique strengths of GOSH as a research-intensive hospital, where clinicians, scientists and healthcare professionals work together to translate discovery into improved outcomes for children and young people.

Spanning Blood, Cells and Cancer, Specialist Neonatal and Paediatric Surgery, Brain, Paediatric and Adolescent Mental Health Services, and Sight and Sound, the appointments demonstrate how excellence in research is embedded across every part of the organisation and continues to drive innovation in paediatric healthcare.

Dr Kiki Syrad is Director of Research and Innovation at GOSH and Dr Sophia Varadkar is Chief Medical Officer. They said:

“The appointment of five new professors across five different directorates is a powerful reflection of the breadth and depth of research excellence at GOSH. From pioneering new cancer treatments and gene therapies, to advancing surgical innovation, mental health research and sight-saving discoveries, these colleagues are helping to shape the future of child health. Their promotions recognise years of dedication and achievement, built on team-work and collaboration, and underline the impact that clinician scientists can have when research, innovation and patient care come together. We are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished and excited to see what comes next."