Professor Caroline Relton, whose expertise and research has focussed on using epidemiological methods to understand disease pathways, is currently Pro Director for Research and Academic Development at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
Prior to this she worked at Bristol for 11 years where her work included building a multi-disciplinary programme of population health research using molecular biomarkers to predict and understand disease. During her time at Bristol, she also held various research leadership roles in the Faculty of Health Sciences and served as a member of the University’s Board of Trustees.
Professor Relton has an undergraduate degree in Biology and obtained a PhD in Molecular Genetics from Newcastle University Medical School in 1999 where she held an academic position for 12 years before first moving to Bristol in 2012.
She has a distinguished research track record, and her research has spanned both laboratory-based science and data analytics, including multiple clinical areas from perinatal health to cancer.
The author of over 350 papers, Professor Relton has also been recognised for her academic contributions with awards including a European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) Fellowship and has served in a wide range of advisory roles. She is currently Chair of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory Scientific Advisory Committee and a Non-Executive Director of the Wellcome Sanger Institute.
Professor Relton said: “I am thrilled to be returning to the University of Bristol and to have the privilege of leading the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences through the next chapter of its evolution. I look forward to working with all colleagues to further advance the Faculty’s global reputation as a powerhouse of innovative, rigorous, high-quality research and as the destination of choice for students to access a world class education. It is an immensely exciting time to be taking up the role of Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, to serve the University and to work with exceptional colleagues and partners to make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Professor Judith Squires, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Provost at the University of Bristol, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Caroline back to the University of Bristol. She rejoins at an exciting and important time, following a significant period of transformation in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences designed to create greater opportunities for collaboration across education, research and innovation, strengthen our team-science approach, and support closer partnership working both within and beyond the University. Caroline will play a pivotal role in leading the next phase of our development, ensuring we harness our collective expertise, strengthen collaboration to maximise our impact locally, nationally and globally.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to share my heartfelt thanks to Professor Jeremy Tavaré for his outstanding leadership and life-long commitment to our University. His many career highlights include co-founding the drug discovery company ProXara Biotechnology Ltd, being director of Bristol’s MRC Cell Imaging Facility for ten years, the first director of the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute and Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences before his current role as Pro Vice Chancellor for Health and Life Sciences.”