Professor Thushan de Silva elected
Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences

Speaking on the announcement, Thushan de Silva said: “I am deeply honoured to be elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. This recognition reflects the work of outstanding colleagues, collaborators and trainees across Sheffield, The Gambia and many other settings over the course of my career.”

“Supporting early-career researchers has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my work. Developing the next generation of researchers and strengthening equitable international partnerships will be essential to addressing future infectious disease threats and ensuring advances in medical science benefit populations globally.”

“I look forward to contributing to the Academy’s work in supporting researchers at different career stages, including future clinical academics, and advancing medical science for public benefit.”

Professor de Silva has been recognised for internationally influential research spanning Group A Streptococcus, respiratory viruses and HIV. His work has advanced understanding of pathogen transmission, immunity and vaccine responses, while informing public health policy in the UK and internationally.

His research programme spans appointments at the University of Sheffield and the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia, where he has worked and collaborated for almost two decades. His work combines clinical research, immunology, genomics and epidemiology to address infectious diseases of global importance, reflecting a longstanding commitment to strengthening research capacity across diverse international settings.

His studies have contributed to understanding how protective immunity develops against Group A Streptococcus, supporting efforts to develop vaccines against a major global pathogen, and have advanced understanding of mucosal influenza vaccine responses in African children. Earlier work on HIV-2 infection provided important insights into immune control of viral infection, while more recent studies have shaped understanding of transmission and immunity across multiple infectious diseases.

Professor de Silva also played a leading role in the UK scientific response to COVID-19, co-directing genomic epidemiology and immunology studies that informed understanding of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and vaccine responses. His contributions to COVID-19 research, including work that helped inform UK vaccination policy, were recognised with an MBE.

Alongside his research leadership, Professor de Silva has established and mentored multidisciplinary research teams across Sheffield, The Gambia and other international settings, supporting the development of both clinical and non-clinical researchers. At the University of Sheffield, he is Co-Director of the Florey Institute of Infection and holds leadership roles within the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre’s Infection and Immunity theme, helping to foster collaborative research environments and support future clinical academic pathways.

His election to the Academy Fellowship marks a significant recognition of a career dedicated to advancing infectious disease research, improving public health and strengthening global scientific collaboration. 

Find the full list of the Academy’s 2026 cohort on the Academy of Medical Sciences website.

The NIHR funds, enables and delivers world-leading health and social care research that improves people's health and wellbeing and promotes economic growth.

NIHR Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs) are collaborations between NHS organisations and universities. They bring together academics and clinicians to translate scientific discoveries into potential new treatments, diagnostics and technologies.