Top team announced to lead new Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry

The team includes world-leading clinicians in anaesthesia, neuroscience, haematology and molecular pharmacology as well as renowned medical and dental educators.

Professor Rob Sneyd has been announced as the Dean of the Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, supported by Professor John Zajicek as Associate Dean for Research; Professor David Bristow as Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning; and Professor Adrian Copplestone as Associate Dean of Student Affairs.

Professor Christopher Tredwin has been appointed as Head of the School of Dentistry, Professor C Oliver Hanemann has been named as Director of the new Institute for Translational and Stratified Medicine and Mr Terry Vallance is Head of Administration.

The team have all been recruited from within the established and nationally renowned Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry and will now take forward plans to develop the structure of the new schools, including the recruitment of medical and dental educators in addition to scientists, clinicians and professional staff.

Professor Wendy Purcell, Vice-Chancellor of Plymouth University, said: “These exceptional appointments demonstrate our commitment to building on PCMD’s legacy as an innovative, patient centred and student focused medical and dental school, with a strong emphasis on research informed teaching.

“These appointments are also an important first step in taking forward our £25 million investment in life-changing ‘bench to bedside’ medical and dental research, focusing on developing new treatments for a range of conditions from neurodegeneration to cancer.”

Professor Rob Sneyd who leads the new Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, is a practising clinician in anaesthesia at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust in Derriford, and is Vice-President of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, UK. His research interests focus upon clinical pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, and he has a special interest in drug development.

Professor John Zajicek will take up the position of Associate Dean for Research. A renowned consultant neurologist, Professor Zajicek has built up a large research group specialising in developing and testing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. He has particular expertise in the medical uses of cannabinoid medicines. Professor Zajicek holds key posts in both the NHS locally and nationally, and is Chairman of the Nervous System Disorders Speciality Group at the National Institute for Health Research and Director of the Peninsula Clinical Trials Unit.

Professor David Bristow, as Associate Dean Teaching and Learning, will offer strategic leadership to the educational activities within the Schools, and will ensure that the high-quality, innovative, evidence-based and contemporary curricula that he has helped develop at PCMD is translated successfully to the new school and that the curricula continue to be at the forefront of educational best practices.

Professor C Oliver Hanemann is a nationally and internationally recognised clinical academic in neuroscience, specialising in neuromuscular disease and neuro-oncology very successfully bridging basic and clinical sciences. He has been instrumental in driving forward the development of clinical neurobiology research at Plymouth. In his new role as Director of the Institute for Translational and Stratified Medicine, he will champion research across traditional boundaries and focus on world-leading research.

Professor Adrian Copplestone has held a number of national positions within clinical haematology, and is currently Chair of the Steering Committee for the National External Quality Assurance Scheme in General Haematology. In his role as Associate Dean, Student Affairs, he will be focussed upon the student experience, including placements within the peninsula medical community.

Professor Christopher Tredwin, Head of the School of Dentistry, is a renowned Professor of Restorative Dentistry. He has held numerous senior academic positions at both UCL and PCMD. Building on the successful legacy of Professor Liz Kay, Foundation Dean and Professor of Dental Public Health, Professor Tredwin is looking forward to further refinement and development of the School including establishing postgraduate dental courses and working to develop its research profile as a world leading dental school with outstanding facilities, a novel integrated curriculum and a firm foundation in primary care.

And Mr Terry Vallance, in his position as Head of Administration, will play a strategic role in the delivery of the School’s clinical education and research missions, and ensure that its professional services support those aims.