Sepsis Research FEAT has announced the appointment of Dr. Andrew Conway Morris as its new Medical Director. A renowned researcher and intensive care physician, he joins the charity from the University of Cambridge, where he has made significant contributions to the understanding of severe infections and sepsis.
Dr. Conway Morris trained in anaesthesia and intensive care in Glasgow and Edinburgh before completing his training in Cambridge. His research primarily focuses on the body's immune response to severe infections, which can lead to sepsis and organ failure. His focus on pneumonia, one of the most common infection pathways to sepsis and intensive care treatment in the UK, has driven his work in the field.
Starting his research career with a PhD on immune function in pneumonia at the University of Edinburgh, Dr. Conway Morris has since secured prestigious fellowship funding from the Wellcome Trust and the Medical Research Council. He has led the infection section of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine and spearheaded their educational initiatives on antimicrobial stewardship. Recently, he established an infection working group between the UK Intensive Care Society and the British Infection Association to enhance the care of patients with sepsis and severe infections.
Dr. Conway Morris said, “Although sepsis has been recognised by doctors for thousands of years, it remains incredibly poorly understood. The paradox at the heart of sepsis is that the patient’s own defences turn against the body even as they try to clear the infection that started the process. Our lack of understanding as to how and why this happens is a major barrier to bringing forward new diagnostic tools and treatments for this devastating condition.
“Despite killing over 250,000 people a year in the UK alone, sepsis research is less well funded than conditions that kill similar numbers of people. We need to urgently invest in research across the patient journey from early detection, early treatment, and improving outcomes after sepsis if we are going to reduce the burden this places on patients, their families, and the health service. I am delighted to be joining Sepsis Research FEAT as their medical director and look forward to advancing sepsis research and understanding across the UK.”
Colin Graham, COO of Sepsis Research FEAT, added, “We are very excited to welcome Dr. Andrew Conway Morris to our team. His extensive experience and research in the field of sepsis and severe infections will be instrumental in driving forward this charity’s mission. Dr. Conway Morris’s commitment to understanding and combating sepsis aligns perfectly with our goals, and we are confident that his leadership will significantly enhance our efforts to improve patient outcomes and raise awareness about this critical issue.”
The appointment marks a significant milestone for Sepsis Research FEAT. His expertise and leadership will be invaluable to the charity’s mission to improve the detection, treatment, and outcomes of sepsis. His work promises not only to enhance the medical community’s understanding of sepsis but also to raise awareness of this often-overlooked condition, ensuring it receives the attention and funding it desperately needs.
Sepsis Research FEAT looks forward to the new initiatives and advancements that Dr. Conway Morris will bring, continuing the fight against sepsis and ultimately saving lives.
To find out more information about sepsis, or get involved with Sepsis Research FEAT, please visit https://sepsisresearch.org.uk/
