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John Cairns
The event marked the creation of the Kennedy Trust Feldmann Maini Professorship in Translational Medicine and the Kennedy Trust Maini Feldmann Professorship in Translational Musculoskeletal Sciences. These new chair positions will support the Institute's mission to develop transformative therapies for chronic inflammatory and musculoskeletal conditions.
The professorships are named after pioneering researchers Professor Sir Ravinder Maini and Professor Sir Marc Feldmann, whose groundbreaking work on anti-TNF therapy laid the foundation for the Institute's continued advancements.
Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford opened the event by saying: ‘Tonight we particularly want to celebrate the creation and appointment of two new Chairs in the Kennedy Institute, aptly named The Kennedy Trust Feldmann Maini Professorship in Translational Medicine and The Kennedy Trust Maini Feldmann Professorship in Translational Musculoskeletal Sciences. These professorial positions will be here in perpetuity, and we’re incredibly grateful that the Kennedy Trust has enabled future leadership in these vital areas of research.’
Professor Chris Buckley has been appointed to the Feldmann Maini Professorship in Translational Medicine, where he will lead the Arthritis Therapy Acceleration Programme (A-TAP) to expedite the development of new treatments. Professor Tonia Vincent has been named the inaugural Maini Feldmann Professor in Translational Musculoskeletal Sciences, driving research to improve understanding and treatment of conditions like osteoarthritis.
Professor Dame Fiona Powrie, Director of the Kennedy Institute, said: 'We are so grateful to the Kennedy Trust for their generous gift endowing two chairs in translational medicine. The Kennedy Institute drives scientific discoveries into the clinic to find cures for chronic diseases. These gifts, focused on inflammatory and musculoskeletal diseases, will help us recruit and retain the best scientists and clinician scientists to deliver our goals today and in the future.'
Professor Sir Stephen Holgate said: ‘The Kennedy Trust places immense value in its relationship with Oxford University as they work together in supporting the world-leading research at the Kennedy Institute. Our significant investment in the new Chairs at the Institute is a powerful example of this commitment and the Trust is confident that its investment will strengthen the underpinning of the Institute’s long term future at Oxford University.’
The Kennedy Trust has been a long-standing partner of the University of Oxford, supporting the Kennedy Institute's cutting-edge research and training of the next generation of clinician-scientists. This latest investment will enable the institute to build on its legacy of scientific breakthroughs and deliver real-world impact for patients suffering from debilitating inflammatory and musculoskeletal diseases.
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