Aston University has appointed Professor Eamonn Maher as the new Dean of Aston Medical School.
Professor Maher will be joining Aston University from the Department of Medical Genetics at University of Cambridge where he has held the post of Head of Department and Professor of Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine.
He is the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network National Specialty Lead for Genetics. Eamonn has published more than 400 research papers in scientific journals as well as reviews and book chapters in the fields of cancer genetics, human developmental genetics, epigenetics and genomic imprinting.
Professor Maher will hold a joint clinical academic contract with Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust as an Honorary Consultant in Clinical Genetics. This joint appointment will further consolidate and advance the University’s important strategic partnership with the Trust.
Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University, said:
“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Eamonn Maher as Dean of Aston Medical School. He will provide leadership for the strategic development and operation of its education and research agendas and will lead the School into the next phase of growth and opportunity, including our ambition to develop a strong profile in medical genomics.”
Professor Maher said:
“I am excited and honoured by this opportunity to contribute to the further development of Aston Medical School.
“I look forward to working with new colleagues, renewing my research collaborations in the city and region and, working together, to translate advances in genomics into personalised medicine and improved patient outcomes.”
Matthew Boazman, chief executive of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Trust, said:
“We are pleased to support this joint appointment, and to welcome Eamon back to Birmingham, where our patients and colleagues will benefit from his immense skill and experience once again.
“Our Board is driven to transform healthcare through education, research and innovation and it is fantastic to have Eamon join us on this journey.”
Sir Bruce Keogh, chair of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital, said:
“Biological science over the last decade has unleashed a remarkable understanding of the human genome and the cellular processes that control how inherited diseases develop.
“This has spawned new tests for early diagnosis and exciting opportunities for novel treatments of previously untreatable conditions. Eamon’s expertise and research interests will boost our already highly regarded genetics service in Birmingham.”
Professor Maher will be taking up his post in October 2023.
