London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Professor Moffat Nyirenda, Director of the Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit), has been elected as a new Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

He is among 54 biomedical and health scientists recognised this year for their exceptional contributions to advancing medical science, groundbreaking research discoveries and translating developments into benefits for patients and wider society.

Professor Nyirenda’s work has demonstrated how local risk factors, such as infection and early-life undernutrition, shape the manifestation of diabetes in Africa. This has included identification of a distinct “lean type 2 diabetes phenotype,” which occurs in non-obese individuals due to impaired insulin production, contrasting sharply with the typical form associated with ageing, obesity and insulin resistance. These findings carry important clinical implications for diagnosis and treatment.

Professor Nyirenda said: “I am deeply honoured by this recognition, which I share with the exceptional teams and collaborators I have had the privilege to work with across Africa and beyond. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work, and remain committed to ensuring that our research continues to make a positive impact on global health.”

Jaime Miranda, Head of the Sydney School of Public Health at the University of Sydney and Honorary Professor in Global Health at LSHTM, who studied on both our MSc in Epidemiology course and as a PhD student, is also among this year’s new Fellows. He has been recognised for his contributions to research on non-communicable diseases in low-income and middle-income countries including obesity, hypertension, diabetes and depression.

Professor Andrew Morris CBE FRSE PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: “It is a privilege to welcome these 54 exceptional scientists to our Fellowship. Each new Fellow brings unique expertise and perspective to addressing the most significant health challenges facing society. 

“The breadth of disciplines represented in this year’s cohort – from mental health and infectious disease to cancer biology and respiratory medicine – reflects the rich diversity of medical science today. Their election comes at a crucial time when scientific excellence and collaboration across disciplines are essential for addressing global health challenges both now and in the future. We look forward to working with them to advance biomedical research and create an environment where the best science can flourish for the benefit of people everywhere.”

The new Fellows will be formally admitted to the Academy at a ceremony on Wednesday 9 July 2025.