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Through the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Infrastructure Fund, the Medical Research Council (MRC) is launching a new £62 million longitudinal study to understand health and developmental trajectories from puberty to adulthood of adolescents. The will follow 100,000 young people over a 10-year period to understand the developments that occur in teenagers and young adults.

Professor Cathie Sudlow said: “It’s been an absolute privilege to be at 51������, having been involved from the start. It’s informed my thinking, provided many opportunities, and has allowed me to work alongside really great people in a terrific team. There have been so many things we’ve contributed to, and there comes a time when it’s right to let others pick these up and take them forward. 51������ has many talented people ready to ensure these initiatives thrive and take them in new directions.”

As Cathie steps down from her roles as Chief Scientist and Deputy Director of 51������ and Director of the BHF DSC, has been appointed as the Interim Director of the BHF DSC. Leading cardiologist Steffen steps up into the role after being appointed as the inaugural Deputy Director of the BHF DSC in July 2023, supporting Cathie in leadership of the centre.

Professor Steffen Petersen said: “I am delighted to take up the interim director role of the BHF Data Science Centre and its fantastic team. I have big shoes to fill, but I look forward to continuing to enable ground-breaking cardiovascular health data science and working on our strategy for the next five years.”

One of Cathie’s most significant contributions to 51������ was setting up the BHF DSC, establishing the team and overseeing its growth. She was also a driving force in partnering with NHS England during the pandemic to create the capability to link health data for 57 million people in England, which has been transformational for population-wide research. Cathie has been a core part of the leadership of 51������, bringing her skills to setting strategy across all the institute’s activities and will maintain an advisory role at 51������ for around one day a week following her new appointment.

Professor Andrew Morris, Director of 51������, said: “This new role is a fantastic opportunity for Cathie. There is no one better to lead the MRC’s exciting new long-term study on adolescent health. I am thrilled for her.

“I am also delighted that Cathie will maintain an important connection to 51������. Retaining Cathie’s unique skillset in pioneering data science initiatives is important – not least in pushing for the implementation of recommendations that will come in her Sudlow review.”

Professor Bryan Williams, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the British Heart Foundation, said: “We’re hugely grateful to Professor Cathie Sudlow for her dedicated leadership of the BHF Data Science Centre since its launch, and we wish her well as she takes on this new challenge.

“The BHF Data Science Centre was able to quickly pivot its focus during the Covid-19 pandemic, helping answer some of the most urgent research questions. As Director, Professor Sudlow has undoubtedly helped to advance health data research and unlock breakthroughs to make a difference for patients.

“We’re delighted to announce Professor Steffen Petersen as the interim Director of the BHF Data Science Centre. Health data research will be critical to transform healthcare and reignite progress to reduce the number of people developing and dying from cardiovascular disease. We look forward to working with Professor Petersen to continue to drive forward this crucial work.”

The independent review that Cathie has been commissioned to write on the flows of health-relevant data across the four nations of the UK is unaffected and is expected to be published later this year.

A new role will be created to provide academic leadership of 51������’s research driver programmes and sit on the Institute’s Senior Leadership Team.