National Institute of Health Research honours GOSH-ICH research leader

21 Mar 2012, 11:32 a.m.

Dr David Goldblatt

Professor David Goldblatt has been selected as an National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Senior Investigator.Professor Goldblatt is Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children's Consultant in Paediatric Immunology, Director of Clinical R&D and Director of the NIHR Funded UCL and Great Ormond Street Biomedical Research Centre. This prestigious appointment of senior research staff is part of the NIHR’s research leadership strategy.

Professor Adrian Thrasher and Professor Catherine Law have already been appointed NIHR Senior Investigators.

Four of the 25 new appointments announced today hold UCL positions.

Professor Goldblatt’s citation from the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sally Davies said:

"The applications were from a particularly strong field so you have succeeded in a very competitive process.

In the role of NIHR Senior Investigator you will be a member of the NIHR College of Senior Investigators.

The purpose of the College is to:

  • Provide research leadership to the NIHR Faculty, helping in planning and speaking at events, hosting visiting fellows, mentoring clinical trainees and similar activities.
  • Provide expert advice to the Director General of Research and Development for the Department of Health, promoting health and social care research.
  • Be a source of prestige, providing an incentive for researchers to seek NIHR funding, andfor NIHR Investigators to achieve Senior status.
  • Acknowledge senior researchers and their work, enhancing esteem for applied clinicalresearch.
  • Showcase internationally prominent researchers in health and social care.
  • Provide a focus for the NIHR Faculty.
Professor Goldblatt said: "I am delighted to be awarded Senior Investigator status and to be recognised by the NIHR in this way for my contribution to research and research leadership. I would also like to thank my research team at the UCL Institute of Child Health and my many collaborators who make research for patient benefit possible."