Professor Edith Heard will take over as the director and CEO at the Francis Crick Institute next summer, with current and founding chief, Sir Paul Nurse, set to step down from the role.
Prof Heard has been the director general at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) since 2019, during which time she has overseen the launch of the Molecules to Ecosystems programme that the EMBL hopes can usher in a new era for life sciences in Europe through interdisciplinary collaboration.
“The Francis Crick Institute has quickly established a global reputation for its work at the frontiers of science,” said Prof Heard in response to her appointment. “I relish the challenge of building on that work.”
The Francis Crick Institute was a by-product of Sir David Cooksey’s 2006 A review of health research funding report, although it only become fully operational seven years ago.
It has six founding partners:
- Medical Research Council
- Cancer Research UK
- Wellcome
- University College London
- Imperial College London
- King’s College London
Founding CEO Sir Paul Nurse is a Nobel Prize-winning geneticist and will retain a laboratory at the institute when he hands over the reins next year.
The institute’s chair, John Browne, the lord of Madingley, paid homage to Nurse’s “extraordinary role” in establishing the institute on the international stage. “I am delighted that we will continue to benefit from his brilliant scientific mind and research,” he said.
On the incoming director and CEO, he added: “She brings an exemplary international research record, compelling vision and strong leadership experience. She will enable the Crick to continue to grow, building on its reputation for research excellence and for being the home for world-class leaders in life sciences.”
Nurse said that the decision to step down was made easier knowing the institute was going to have an excellent scientist at the helm.
“I am completely confident that the Crick will continue to flourish under her leadership.”
Image credit: The Francis Crick Institute
