London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Two distinguished professors from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine have been elected Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences, in recognition of their contributions to medical research and healthcare, the generation of new knowledge in medical sciences and its translation into benefits to society.

Professor Joy Lawn is Director of the School's Centre for Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive and Child Health. A paediatrician and perinatal epidemiologist, she has worked in Africa for more than 20 years, with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through Save the Children. Her work has been the basis of the Every Newborn Action Plan, endorsed by the World Health Assembly and more than 80 partners; she also works with the UK Department for International Development and the UN Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group.

Professor Liam Smeeth is Head of the Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology at the School. He is a leader in the use of electronic health records, completing ground-breaking work on drug effects, disease aetiology and the evaluation of interventions. His work on the MMR vaccine and autism was of central importance in demonstrating safety and led to a recovery in vaccine uptake. He also undertakes substantial international work focussed on non-communicable diseases in low income settings.

Professor Dame Anne Mills, Deputy Director and Provost at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: "Joy Lawn and Liam Smeeth are outstanding researchers and academic leaders, and thoroughly deserving of this honour. We are delighted that the Academy of Medical Sciences continues to recognise the work of colleagues in public and global health".

Professors Lawn and Smeeth will be among 47 new Fellows formally admitted to the Academy at a ceremony on Wednesday 29 June 2016.

Sir Robert Lechler, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences said: "These new Fellows represent the amazing diversity of talent and expertise among the UK medical research community. Through their election to the Fellowship, we recognise the outstanding contributions these individuals have made to the progress of medical science and the development of better healthcare."