Oxford Rheumatologist receives prestigious NIHR professorship

An Oxford BRC-supported researcher has become the first rheumatologist to be awarded a prestigious Research Professorship from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Professor Laura Coates, a Senior Clinical Research Fellow in the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), receives one of seven professorships awarded this year.

Each recipient will get a five-year award of up to £2 million. This includes three support posts, research costs and access to a leadership and development programme. 

The NIHR Research Professorship programme funds future leaders to promote the effective translation of research into clinical benefit. Those nominated must have an outstanding research record of clinical and applied health and care research and have demonstrated effective translation of research for improved health and care. 

Professor Coates, an Honorary Consultant Rheumatologist at Oxford University Hospitals, will use the funding to further her research into psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, a type of inflammatory arthritis that develops in around one-third of people with the skin condition psoriasis, causing swollen and painful joints. Around 640,000 people in the UK have this form of arthritis.

She said: "I'm delighted that the NIHR has awarded me this funding in recognition of my research in this area.

Currently, we cannot predict which of the 2.1 million people with psoriasis will go on to develop arthritis, nor are we able to prevent it from happening. When people do develop arthritis, despite new arthritis medicines becoming available in the last two decades, there are few studies telling us how to choose and combine these drugs in practice."

She said that in her professorship, she will use data from a large European study to develop a simple risk calculator to allow people with psoriasis to estimate their risk of developing arthritis. 

"“This will help people living with psoriasis understand their risk but also help us to design future studies aiming to prevent the development of arthritis in people who are at high risk. 

"I will also design a new national study to test personalisation of treatment for those who do develop arthritis. I will work with people living with psoriatic arthritis and medical teams to design this study using digital supports like apps and we will be able to test different treatments and personalise these for different people."

Among the other recipients of the professorship was Professor Mona Bafadhel, now of King's College London, whose research into severe asthma and COPD has been supported by the Oxford BRC.

The NIHR Research Professorship scheme aims to strengthen and benefit health, public health and care research leadership. Previous NIHR Research Professors research has led to interventions which have improved patient care.

Since 2011, 73 people have been successful in gaining the competitive award. Many have gone on to become senior research leaders, including Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR and Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care.

She said: "The NIHR Research Professorship is one of our most prestigious career awards. The award funds outstanding researchers to help address the major health and care issues of today and in the future, strengthening health, public health and care research leadership at the highest academic levels. I congratulate this cohort and look forward to seeing the impact their research will have on people and communities."

Professor Waljit Dhillo, Dean of the NIHR Academy and Scientific Director for Research Capacity and Capabilities, said: "I am delighted to welcome the latest group of researchers as NIHR Research Professors.

"These outstanding individuals will play a key role in the research community and I look forward to seeing the positive impact their research will make to the public.

"As a previous NIHR Research Professor, I know the difference and impact that this scheme can make, not only to develop research that can change lives but also to transform a researcher's career.”

The NIHR Research Professorship is seen as transformative in a researcher's career.

A survey of active and complete award holders from 2011-2022 found it:

• increases their academic reputation and influence
• helps progress careers by facilitating access to leadership roles
• leads to the development of important collaborations in the UK and internationally
• is seen as one of the most prestigious funding schemes for clinical academics
• helps develop leaders and build capacity.

The award has also helped raise the profile and improve the understanding of different diseases. Previous NIHR Research Professors have explained how it can transform the research landscape in their field and influence national policy.

Read more about the latest Research Professorship awardees and their research:

Current NIHR Research Professors | NIHR