Professor Simon Draper and Professor Rickie Patani are among 54 exceptional scientists working in biomedical and healthcare fields who were formally announced as Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) on 22 May 2025.
Rickie Patani
Lister Fellow Rickie received his Lister Prize in 2021. He is a physician scientist working on stem cell models of neurodegeneration in conditions such as ALS (also known as motor neurone disease). Rickie is a Professor at UCL, and his lab is based at the Francis Crick Institute in London.
I am tremendously honoured to be elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. It is a recognition that I wholeheartedly share with the talented researchers in my team and collaborative network that I have had the privilege to work with over the years… I am very grateful to you all.
– Professor Rickie Patani
Simon Draper
Former Lister Fellow Simon was awarded the Lister Prize in 2013. He is based at the University of Oxford where he is Professor of Vaccinology and Translational Medicine. Simon is the inventor of the first vaccine against blood-stage malaria, which recently completed a successful clinical trial – the culmination of over 14 years of work.
I am delighted to have been elected to the Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences and honoured that the work of our lab should be recognised in this way. All credit goes to the wonderful research team that I have had the privilege to work with over many years. Malaria continues to affect the most vulnerable in society, in the world’s poorest regions, and there remains an urgent need to develop improved vaccines to protect future generations. I am immensely grateful to my team for their tireless efforts in this regard, and to our partners and collaborators who are helping us to advance innovative solutions aimed at reducing the global burden of this disease.
– Professor Simon Draper
Rickie and Simon join a Fellowship of 1450 researchers selected by the Academy for their ‘remarkable contributions to advancing medical science, groundbreaking research discoveries and translating developments into benefits for patients and the wider public.’
Among them are a number of Lister Institute Fellows and Members. These include Governing Body Member and former Lister Fellow Professor Muzz Haniffa, Lister Institute Member and former Fellow Professor Michael Eddleston, former Fellows Professor Peter Cullen, Professor Frances Platt, Professor Jane McKeating and Dr Madan Babu, to name just a few.
AMS Fellows come from a wide range of clinical and non-clinical backgrounds from stem cell biology to veterinary medicine. Their work extends to shaping research and health policy nationally and worldwide, as well as training and supporting the next generation of scientists.
We extend our warmest congratulations to Simon and Rickie, and wish them continued success in all their endeavours.
