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A cohort of academic theme leads has been appointed to strengthen transatlantic ties through new convergence science and innovation networks.

Representing seven diverse themes of science and technology research spanning technology, the environment, space, health and bioengineering, the academic leads will support the development of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global USA networks and partnerships to develop solutions to critical global challenges.    

This announcement comes on the same day that scientists from 51³Ô¹ÏÍø reveal the findings from a collaboration with tech giant Google who recruited them to test their co-scientist, an unreleased artificial intelligence system with the potential to supercharge the biomedical research process.

“There is a clear synergy between the world-leading convergence science and technological innovation in the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø WestTech Corridor in London and the vibrant science and tech eco-system in San Francisco’s Silicon Valley and across the USA." Professor Hugh Brady President

, the first Chair of the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global USA Advisory Board and CEO of Intrinsic, an Alphabet Company, will support the expansion of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global USA by helping to connect 51³Ô¹ÏÍø academics and entrepreneurs with their counterparts in San Francisco and beyond, and to accelerate the international scientific and economic impact of their work.

Professor Hugh Brady, President of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø said: “We are proud that 51³Ô¹ÏÍø has a long legacy of transatlantic collaboration and 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global USA continues this by creating and nurturing the kind of partnerships that will lead to world-changing scientific discoveries.

“There is a clear synergy between the world-leading convergence science and technological innovation in the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø WestTech Corridor in London and the vibrant science and tech eco-system in San Francisco’s Silicon Valley and across the USA.  

“I am delighted to welcome the seven academic theme leads to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global USA whose world-leading academic excellence and entrepreneurial talent will help drive our Science for Humanity Strategy, creating links between our network of global hubs and 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s vibrant research and innovation community.” 

Meet the Academic Theme Leads 

The seven priority themes and the academic theme leads representing each of them are: 

Human and Artificial Intelligence 

, Co-Director of the School of Convergence Science in Human and Artificial Intelligence, Professor of AI and Neuroscience in the Department of Bioengineering and the Department of Computing, Faculty of Engineering 

Advanced Materials and Cleantech 

, Vice Provost for Research & Enterprise and the Armourers and Brasiers’ Chair for Materials Science  

Health Technologies 

, Co-Director of the School of Convergence Science in Health and Technology, Professor of Musculoskeletal Mechanics at the Department of Bioengineering, Director of the Musculoskeletal Medical Engineering Centre and Director of MedTechOne 

Space and Satellite Technologies 

, Co-Director of the School of Convergence Science in Space, Security and Telecoms, Professor of Space Physics in the Department of Physics and Director of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Space Lab 

Deep Tech Entrepreneurship 

, Associate Dean Enterprise, Professor of Entrepreneurial Finance, and Director of the Institute for Deep Tech Entrepreneurship in the Business School 

Engineering Biology for Health and Environment 

, Co-Director of the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Deputy Director of the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Proteins, and Professor of Biotechnology in the Department of Chemical Engineering  

Biotech 

, Professor of Virus Genomics in the Department of Infectious Diseases and Vice President of Infectious Diseases and Vaccines at Kymab Ltd. 

51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global USA partnerships 

The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global USA hub opened in October 2024, making 51³Ô¹ÏÍø the first UK university to have a permanent science and tech base on US soil, providing an ideal springboard for partnership-building.   

One example of a recent 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global USA partnership is the new led by 51³Ô¹ÏÍø and supported by California’s UC Berkeley.  The centre’s ambitious aim is to develop a sustainable model for materials production to support the global transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. 

Another example is the cutting-edge research collaboration with the Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), a nationally recognised paediatric healthcare system in California, which seeks to advance the use of artificial intelligence in paediatric care. 

The hub also plays a pivotal role in supporting start-ups and spin-outs founded by 51³Ô¹ÏÍø alumni to reach new investors and potential partners. An , led by the Enterprise Lab, helped health tech company OSSTEC take their total investment to date up to £2million and brought their innovative bioengineering solutions for orthopaedic implants to new clinical and commercial audiences.    

Join our 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global USA to keep up to date with the latest US news and opportunities for collaboration.