Leading University heart professor recognised as top global researcher

The “valuable and significant” work of a University heart professor has won him recognition as one of the world’s most influential scientists.

Professor Sir Nilesh Samani (pictured), who is Director of the NIHR Leicester Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit (BRU) at Glenfield Hospital, has been named on an annual list which recognises global leading researchers in the sciences and social sciences.

This year the Highly Cited Researchers from the Intellectual Property (IP) and Science business of Thomson Reuters focused on contemporary research achievement.

Vin Caraher, who was the Chief Executive Officer and President of Thomson Reuters Healthcare and Science when the list was compiled, said Professor Samani had been selected because his work had been “identified as being among the most valuable and significant in the field”.

The list recognises approximately 3,000 researchers whose peer-reviewed papers have been frequently cited in academic literature.

Professor Samani said: “It is a tremendous honour to have been recognised among some of the world’s greatest researchers.

“It is an enormous privilege to have the opportunity to work in cardiovascular research. Although there has been great progress, cardiovascular diseases still remain the number one killer and a growing problem in many parts of the world.

“Whatever we can do to improve our understanding of the causes of heart disease is important and I plan to continue my work in helping to reduce the devastating burden of heart disease on families and individuals.”

In September Professor Samani was also appointed as the Medical Director of the British Heart Foundation (BHF), where he will oversee the £100 million that the BHF spends on research.

Last year Professor Samani was knighted for services to medicine and medical research.