17 Dec 07

Professor Buchan is both a clinician and a neuroscience researcher

Distinguished neurologist and stroke specialist Professor Alastair Buchan will be the Head of the Medical Sciences Division from October 2008.

Professor Buchan, Professor of Clinical Geratology at the University, is both a clinician who treats stroke patients and a neuroscience researcher, whose laboratory interests have the long-term goal of discovering stroke interventions that will both protect the brain and stimulate recovery. He is a leading figure in the UK stroke strategy and the partnership between the University and the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust.

The University of Oxford is arranged into four academic divisions, of which Medical Sciences is by far the largest, accounting for one third of the University’s total expenditure and two thirds of its external research income. Oxford is ranked third in the world for biomedicine.

The Division is responsible for medical education and encompasses the full range of biomedical research, from basic science through to testing new treatments. The Division has great strength in global health, with vaccines in field trials for TB, HIV and malaria, and programmes in major non-communicable diseases, including the three biggest killers: cancer, heart disease and stroke.

Professor Buchan is currently Head of the John Radcliffe Division of the University’s Nuffield Department of Medicine and is also Director of the Oxford Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, a joint research programme between the University and the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust funded by the NIHR. Professor Buchan joined the University of Oxford in 2005 from the University of Calgary, where he was Head of the Calgary Stroke Programme. With Professor Peter Rothwell and Professor Peter Jezzard he leads the Oxford Acute Stroke Programme, which will bring together different strands of stroke research from across the University to develop a research-driven care programme for stroke patients within Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital. An important aspect of the Oxford Stroke Programme is a medical imaging centre to be built next to the emergency department at the John Radcliffe, which will allow faster treatment of stroke patients, thus preserving brain function.

Professor Buchan said: ‘Taking the very best fundamental or basic science research and using it to drive changes to clinical care will help us to provide the best health for our patients, and will result in the best possible Divisional environment to which we can recruit the best and brightest from students to tenured chairs.’

Dr John Hood, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, said: ‘The Medical Sciences Division is world-leading in the quality and global impact of its research, from basic science through to treatment, and it is fitting that it will be led by Professor Buchan, who is a scientist and clinician of international repute. I very much look forward to working with him in his new capacity.’

Trevor Campbell Davis, Chief Executive of the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust, said: ‘The NHS in Oxfordshire is pleased that an experienced clinician who understands the needs of patients has been appointed to lead the Medical Sciences Division. I am personally delighted that someone as able as Alastair will be working with me to lead the vital partnership between the Trust and University at this time of change and opportunity.’

Professor Buchan is a fellow of Green College and Governor of Repton School. He takes up post in October 2008. He will succeed Dr Ken Fleming, who has led the Division since 2000.