The University of Sheffield is proud to announce that Professor Chris McDermott, Professor of Translational Neurology at the University of Sheffield, has been appointed as the new Director of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).
Professor McDermott takes over from Professor Dame Pamela Shaw, who has provided outstanding leadership over the past nine years, establishing Sheffield as a global leader in neurological research.
Alongside his role at the University, Professor McDermott is an Honorary Consultant Neurologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. He has been Deputy Director of the NIHR Sheffield BRC since its launch in 2017. His work has been at the forefront of transforming research into treatments for motor neuron disease (MND), including leading a landmark national study that brought together 11 MND centres across the UK to accelerate the identification of promising drug candidates for clinical trials.
Earlier this year, his pioneering contributions were recognised internationally with the 2025 Sheila Essey Award for ALS research, presented at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting.
Professor McDermott said: “I am delighted to be appointed as the next NIHR Sheffield BRC Director. I would like to thank Professor Dame Pamela Shaw, who leaves a tremendous legacy. My vision is to grow our BRC further, incorporating other world-leading themes. I look forward to building on our strong track record in developing impactful research that will transform the lives of patients in Sheffield and beyond.
“We remain committed to delivering strong public returns, upskilling and championing early researchers from all backgrounds via our BRC Training Academy. We will also continue to work with our partners to turn scientific discoveries into new treatments and health technologies, bringing in external investment, industry partnerships, creating intellectual property and high-value jobs, boosting the local economy and ultimately supporting healthier lives.”
The NIHR Sheffield BRC, a partnership between the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, is one of 20 Biomedical Research Centres across England, funded by the NIHR to accelerate scientific discovery into patient benefit. In 2022, the Centre secured £13.5 million in Government funding, expanding its remit beyond neuroscience into cardiovascular, infectious and inflammatory diseases, as well as imaging and engineering.
Professor Tracey Moore, Interim Vice-President and Head of the Faculty of Health at the University of Sheffield, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to congratulate Professor Chris McDermott on his appointment as the new Director of the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre. Chris is a superb leader in translational research, and this is a truly well-deserved honour. His vision and expertise will be vital in continuing the BRC’s incredible success.
“The long-standing and successful partnership between the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the foundation of the NIHR Sheffield BRC and underpins our global reputation as a world-renowned centre of excellence for neuroscience. Working together we are able to translate fundamental scientific discoveries into life-changing treatments for patients in Sheffield and far beyond. We are excited to see the BRC, under Chris’s direction, build on this foundation and continue to accelerate medical breakthroughs across all its key themes.”