Dermatology expert recognised for excellence in research

 Hywelpr
14 May 2014 16:57:39.057
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Hywel Williams, Professor of Dermato-Epidemiology, from the School of Medicine atThe University of Nottingham is among 44 leading experts recognised this year by the Academy of Medical Sciences for excellence in research.

Professor Williams, who is also the Director of theCentre of Evidence Based Dermatology, has been elected to the Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences for his contribution to the advancement of medical science in skin diseases.

Academy Fellows are elected for excellence in medical research, for innovative application of scientific knowledge or for their conspicuous service to healthcare. The expertise of the new Fellows includes haematology, bioinformatics, immunology, psychiatry, biochemistry and health services provision.
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Founded in 1998, the Academy of Medical Sciences is the independent body in the UK that represents the diverse spectrum of medical science — from basic research through clinical application to healthcare delivery. The Academy’s mission is to promote medical science and its translation into benefits for society.

Achievements rest on the support of others

Hywel Williams was brought up in the village of Cymmer Afan in South Wales, where he attended the local comprehensive schools. He trained in medicine at Charing Cross Hospital, London. After qualifying, he did further medical and dermatology training in London at the Hammersmith Hospital, Charing Cross Hospital, Kingston Hospital and King’s College Hospital. Whilst training in dermatology at Kings, he published an article in the Lancet about a dog detecting skin cancer and was the first to suggest the possibility of canine cancer detection. In 1994, he won a Wellcome Trust clinical epidemiology training fellowship and did an MSc in Clinical Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. This led to a PhD in developing diagnostic criteria for atopic eczema in 1994 when he worked at St John’s Dermatology Centre, London. That year, Professor Williams was appointed as Senior Lecturer in Dermatology to the Clinical Dermatology Department at Nottingham, and became Foundation Professor of Dermato-Epidemiology in April 1998 and founded the Centre of Evidence-Based Dermatology and became an NIHR senior investigator in 2008. In 2013, he was awarded a higher doctorate (DSc) for his international research into the causes and treatment of eczema. Outside of dermatology, Hywel chairs the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Board and is deputy director of the HTA Programme.

Professor Williams said: “All my achievements rest on a team of wonderful colleagues at the Centre of Evidence-Based Dermatology and Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. I feel excited about contributing to the agenda of the Academy given my background in clinical research and working with patients with skin disease”

Deserved honour

Professor Sir John Tooke PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: “The Academy of Medical Sciences represents the excellence and diversity of medical science in the UK, and this is evident in the broad range of expertise demonstrated by this year’s new Fellows. They each bring a unique perspective which we will value immensely — from the industry experience of Fellows such as Professor Jackie Hunter to the policy knowledge of Baroness Finlay. Their election is a much deserved honour for the outstanding achievements they have shown throughout their careers. I know they will contribute greatly to the Academy, and I am delighted to welcome them all to the Fellowship.”

The new Fellows, selected from351 candidates, will be formally admitted to the Academy at a ceremony on Wednesday 2 July 2014. 

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Notes to editors: The University of Nottinghamhas 43,000 students and is ‘the nearest Britain has to a truly global university, with campuses in China and Malaysia modelled on a headquarters that is among the most attractive in Britain’ (Times Good University Guide 2014). It is also the most popular university among graduate employers, the world’s greenest university, and winner of the Times Higher Education Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development’. It is ranked in the World's Top 75 universities by the QS World University Rankings.

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Story credits

More information is available from Professor Hywel Williams at The University of Nottingham on +44 (0)115 823 1048, hywel.williams@nottingham.ac.uk
Lindsay Brooke

Lindsay Brooke - Media Relations Manager

Email: lindsay.brooke@nottingham.ac.uk Phone: +44 (0)115 951 5751 Location: University Park

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