Director of biomedical research institute announced

Professor Andrew Morris has been appointed director of a UK health and biomedical informatics research institute.

The institute — Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) — will incorporate national data science research aimed at improving health. To enable better use of the £100m invested in infrastructure around the country, it will not operate as a hub and spoke model.

Professor Morris said: “As the volume and complexity of health data increases, there is an extraordinary opportunity to harness advances in mathematics, statistics and computer science to develop the medical science of tomorrow. HDR UK will enable us to remain at the forefront of this new field of health research by, for the first time anywhere in the world, incorporating the whole breadth of data research from the laboratory to the clinic to the population, on a national scale.”

Professor Morris is currently Professor of Medicine and Vice Principal at the University of Edinburgh, and seconded as the Scottish Government’s Chief Scientists for Health. He will assume his role at HDR UK at the beginning of August, retaining a part-time academic position at the University of Edinburgh. His research background has advanced the use of health informatics around the world.

Dr Graham Spittle, HDR UK Chair, said: “I’m delighted that Professor Morris has accepted the position of Director following an open international search for an outstanding and visionary leader. The new institute will bring together leading edge health scientists and advanced analytics to revolutionise health research and delivery.”

HDR UK is a joint investment led by the MRC, alongside health research departments in England, Scotland and Wales, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and other organisations. The institute will develop and apply informatics approaches to address health research challenges facing both patients and the public.