Sam Behjati elected as Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences
Announced today (22 May), Sam joins a group of 54 exceptional biomedical and health scientists elected as Fellows to the Academy in 2025.1,2 This honour recognises remarkable contributions to advancing medical science, groundbreaking research discoveries and translating developments into benefits for patients and the wider public.
As a paediatric cancer researcher at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and Clinical Professor of Paediatric Oncology at the University of Cambridge, Sam’s research focuses on uncovering the origins of childhood cancer through innovative genetic and data-analysis techniques. Some of Sam’s most recent work involved revealing how tumours may arise in children who are born with a predisposition to cancer, published in Nature Genetics in February this year.
In a clinical setting, Sam leads the implementation of DNA sequencing for paediatric cancer patients so each patient can receive a more precise diagnosis and ultimately, a more personalised treatment plan.
Sam is a former recipient of the Academy’s prestigious Foulkes Foundation Medal, awarded to rising stars in biomedical research. His election to the Fellowship reflects his continued leadership and outstanding contributions to the field.
The new Fellows will be formally admitted to the Academy at a ceremony on Wednesday 9 July 2025.
“I’m honoured and delighted to be given a Fellowship by the Academy of Medical Sciences and this recognition reflects the incredible contribution from my team, colleagues and collaborators. The children and the families that I have cared for continue to drive me to better understand and treat childhood cancer and I’m excited about what we can achieve for children in the years ahead.”
Professor Sam Behjati, Group Leader at the Wellcome Sanger Institute
“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.”
Professor Andrew Morris CBE FRSE PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences
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Notes
- The Academy of Medical Sciences is the independent, expert voice of biomedical and health research in the UK. Our Fellowship comprises the most influential scientists in the UK and worldwide, drawn from the NHS, academia, industry, and the public service. Our mission is to improve the health of people everywhere by creating an open and progressive research sector. We do this by working with patients and the public to influence policy and biomedical practice, strengthening UK biomedical and health research, supporting the next generation of researchers through funding and career development opportunities, and working with partners globally.
- The expertise of Fellows elected spans a wide range of clinical and non-clinical disciplines, from infectious disease and stem cell biology to veterinary medicine and dementia research. They join an esteemed Fellowship of 1,450 researchers who are at the heart of the Academy’s work, which includes nurturing the next generation of scientists and shaping research and health policy in the UK and worldwide.
