William Harvey Research Institute celebrates 40 years of research excellence

30 June 2026

Held on 24–25 June 2026 at Queen Mary's Charterhouse Square Campus, the conference brought together WHRI researchers, clinicians, alumni, and students with collaborators from around the world, creating an opportunity to reflect on the Institute's achievements while exploring the future of precision medicine and translational research.

Opening the conference, Professor Panos Deloukas, Director of the William Harvey Research Institute, reflected on the Institute's evolution since its founding before welcoming members of the WHRI community and invited guests. Across two days, the programme highlighted the breadth of research taking place across WHRI, from fundamental discovery science to clinical translation and precision medicine.

The opening session looked back at the Institute's history, with reflections from Professor Rod Flower (Emeritus Professor of Biochemical Pharmacology) on the creation and development of WHRI, alongside presentations from distinguished alumni Professor Mirjam Christ-Crain (Professor of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Basel and the University Hospital of Basel, Switzerland) and Professor Richard Dobson (Professor of Medical Bioinformatics, Kings College London and Institute of Health Informatics, University College London), highlighting the Institute's lasting influence on international research careers.

The programme featured keynote lectures from internationally renowned researchers. Professor Catherine Godson (Professor of Molecular Medicine and Director of the Diabetes Complications Research Centre, University College Dublin) delivered the 2026 John Vane Lecture, discussing advances in targeting the resolution of inflammation, while Professor David Attwell (Jodrell Professor of Physiology, UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London) presented the Derek Willoughby Lecture on the role of the microvasculature in regulating blood flow in the brain and heart.

The second day continued with sessions exploring endocrine disorders, inflammation, rheumatic diseases, genomics and cardiovascular precision medicine. Attendees also heard Outstanding Contribution to Science Lectures from Nobel Prize-winning scientist Professor Sir Peter Ratcliffe (Distinguished Scholar, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Oxford and Group Leader, Francis Crick Institute) who spoke on cellular oxygen sensing systems, and Professor Sir Mark Caulfield (Vice President for Health, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London) who reflected on the pioneering work of the 100K Genomes Project and the transformation of genomics in healthcare.

Throughout the conference, research from across WHRI presented the latest developments in areas including immunology, cardiovascular medicine, pharmacology, endocrine science, rare disease genomics, advanced imaging and precision therapeutics. Poster sessions provided opportunities for early career researchers and postgraduate students to showcase their work and engage with colleagues from across the Institute and beyond.

The anniversary also celebrated WHRI's contribution to education, recognising the success of its undergraduate Pharmacology and Innovative Therapeutics programme, postgraduate research training, and the activities of the John Vane Academy in supporting future scientific leaders.

The conference concluded with the presentation of the Institute's annual awards, including the Young Investigator Award, Best Poster Prize and Education Prize, before Professor Panos Deloukas closed the event by looking ahead to the next chapter in WHRI's history.

Reflecting on the conference, Professor Deloukas said: “It has been a memorable two days shared with past and current colleagues, full of science at the highest level and the chance to relax and network. I feel proud of our Institute and confident that it will continue its journey of scientific excellence.”

Congratulations to all the 2026 prize winners:

• John Vane Medal: Prof. Catherine Godson, Professor of Molecular Medicine and Director of the Diabetes Complications Research Centre, University College Dublin
• Derek Willoughby Award: Prof. David Attwell, Jodrell Professor of Physiology UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London
• William Harvey Outstanding Contribution to Science Award: Prof. Sir Peter Ratcliffe, Distinguished Scholar, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Oxford and Group Leader, Francis Crick Institute
• William Harvey Outstanding Contribution to Science Award: Prof. Sir Mark Caulfield, Vice President for Health, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London
• Education Prize: Prof Dunja Aksentijevic, Professor of Cardiovascular Physiology & Metabolism, Wellcome Trust Research Fellow, WHRI Director of Education
• Young Investigator Award (Consolidating): Dr Felice Rivellese (EMR)
• Young Investigator Award (Consolidating): Dr Loic Rolas (CMR)
• Young Investigator Award (Starting): Dr Zahra Raisi-Estabragh (ACVI)
• Young Investigator Award (Starting): Dr Nay Aung (ACVI)
• Best Poster (Joint First Prize): Dr Eva Sidlauskaite (CPPM), “Elucidating the Pathogenic Role of Nucleus-Associated Mitochondria”
• Best Poster (Joint First Prize): Dr Jordan Elise Read (Endo), “MECP2 as a regulator of transcription and chromatin conformation in GnRH neurons: implications for puberty”
• Best Poster (Second Prize): Kainaat Khan (BioPharm), “A Synovial Joint and Heart-on-a-Chip Model for Studying the Link Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Myocardial Remodelling”