Professor Emma Morris appointed Dean of Medical Sciences

Professor Morris is currently Director of UCL’s Division of Infection and Immunity, and will succeed Professor Mark Emberton, who completes his term as Dean this year.

An expert in the genetic modification of immune cells and stem cells to tackle cancer and inborn errors of immunity, Professor Morris joined UCL in 2005 as a Principal Investigator and Group Leader, becoming Professor of Clinical Cell and Gene Therapy in 2015 and then Director of the Division in 2019.

In her role as Director, Professor Morris is responsible for leading over 350 academic and professional services staff. The division has a strong international focus through the Africa Health Research Institute, a collaboration with the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the Wellcome Trust. Professor Morris’s pragmatic and people-centred leadership is credited for building a greater sense of unity and cohesion within the Division.

As a clinician, Professor Morris is a world leader in the fields of allogeneic stem cell transplantation and gene therapy, with honorary consultant positions at both University College London Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital, two of UCL’s major NHS partners.

In addition to her focus on academic and clinical leadership, she is also active in the research commercialisation space, being a scientific founder of spinout company Quell Therapeutics Ltd, which is developing gene-engineered regulatory T cells for transplant tolerance and autoimmunity.

Welcoming her appointment, UCL President & Provost Dr Michael Spence said: “Medical Sciences is UCL’s most clinically-facing faculty, and is renowned for the quality, innovation and multidisciplinary approach of its research and teaching. I am delighted that its next Dean is not just an eminent scientist but also an experienced academic leader with a strong track record of creating enabling environments for talent to flourish, and to maximise collaboration and impact.” 

Professor Morris said: “I am excited about the opportunity to lead the Faculty and to support the delivery of world leading research, with a focus on excellence in everything we do. I will work hard to maximise our collective impact by strengthening the relationships between UCL and its NHS, NIHR, Industry and external academic partners.”

Current Dean Professor Mark Emberton took up the role in 2015 and under his leadership the Faculty has cemented its reputation as one of the world’s premier centres for medical sciences, underpinned by a dedication to cross-disciplinary approaches. An expert in prostate cancer, his work has led to significant improvements to how the disease is diagnosed and treated in the UK and internationally. 

Dr Spence said: “Mark is both a highly impactful and influential academic and a tremendous leader, with an impressive track record of taking his research successfully through the route to clinical practice and real benefit to patients, and supporting teams across the Faculty to do the same. I am hugely grateful to him for his expert steering of Medical Sciences over the past 10 years.” 

Professor Mark Emberton said: “It has been a true privilege to serve the Faculty of Medical Sciences over the last decade. I was delighted to learn of Emma’s appointment and, as a result, be able to hand over the leadership of this extraordinary Faculty to one of our existing Directors. Emma has the background and the personal attributes to lead us through the next 10 years to achieve even greater successes and continue our goal of mitigating unmet health needs across the world. I look forward to helping her realise her goals during my post-Dean phase – as researcher, clinician and educator.”

Links 

• Professor Emma Morris's academic profile
• Professor Mark Emberton's academic profile
• About UCL President & Provost Dr Michael Spence
• UCL Faculty of Medical Sciences

Media contact 

Dr Matt Midgley

E: m.midgley [at] ucl.ac.uk