Research Centre: directorship
Professor Colin Sibley
January 2008 - Present
Having handed over his Associate Dean for Research responsibilities to Phil Baker, Colin Sibley took on the Directorship of the Manchester Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre in January 2008. Colin has been closely associated with the Research Centre since it’s establishment in 2001 so it seems natural for him to step into the role of Director. Colin won a prestigious Harkness Fellowship in 1989 and other international awards include the Ross Laboratories Lectureship of the Perinatal Research Society (USA) in 1997, and more than 25 invited plenary lectureships worldwide. He is Editor Emeritus of the journal 'Placenta' (having been European Editor for 6 years), on the Editorial Board of 'Journal of Endocrinology', a member of the MRC College of Experts and Chair of the Awards Committee of the International Federation of Placenta Associations.
See: Professor Sibley's profile
Dr Melissa Westwood
February 2006 – December 2007
Melissa Westwood became Director of the Research Centre in February 2006 after having a collaborative connection with the Centre whilst being a member of the Faculty of Life Sciences. "My research is clinically orientated. So it would be great to uncover something potentially therapeutic, something that would make sure that all babies grew to a size that meant they would then lead a healthy life." Melissa stepped down from her Directorship after a being appointed as the Lead for the Maternal and Fetal Health Research Group.
Professor Philip Baker
March 2001 – January 2006
Phil Baker joined the Research Centre in March 2001, having previously been Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Nottingham. In 2005, Philip Baker received the prestigious President’s Achievement Award of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation (SGI). The SGI is leading scientific organisation in obstetrics and gynaecology. It has around 1,000 scientist members from around the world and it gives this award every year to a member of the Society whose record in scientific investigation is outstanding. This is the first time the award has left North America and it highlights how important the research team at the Manchester centre has become internationally.