MAHSC Honorary Clinical Chairs are celebrated as we invite the audience to hear their professional and personal journeys, clinical and research areas, and plans for the future. This MAHSC Inaugural Lecture welcomed MAHSC Honorary Clinical Chairs Professor Smeeta Sinha and Professor Nick Lees, who shared their groundbreaking work in the field of medical and health sciences.

The MAHSC Honorary Clinical Chairs are awarded on an annual basis by The University of Manchester’s Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Promotions Committee. They are awarded to individuals from across Greater Manchester who have made a major contribution to their clinical specialty, including excellence in research and education. There are now 86 MAHSC Honorary Clinical Chairs.

Professor Smeeta Sinha: Advancing Kidney Research

Prof Smeeta Sinha is a Consultant Nephrologist at Salford Royal (part of Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust) NHS England National Clinical Director for Renal Medicine and the NHS England Clinical Lead for the Renal Services Transformation Programme. Her clinical interests are in glomerulonephritis and multi-morbidity. She also leads the complex glomerulonephritis service at Salford Royal.

Her research interests focus on multi-morbidity including diabetic kidney disease, vascular calcification, and rare renal diseases. She is a recognised international key opinion leader in the field of vascular calcification and calciphylaxis and has supported the development of clinical trials including Phase 1 -3 studies. She is the Chief Investigator for the UK Calciphylaxis Study and the UK PI for numerous other randomised controlled trials and studies.

Smeeta is also an NCA Deputy Director of Research & Innovation with a focus on health inequalities and and Lead Researcher for NCARC’s renal collection.

Smeeta’s lecture focused on her pioneering research in nephrology. She discussed the latest advancements in the understanding and treatment of kidney diseases. One of the critical areas she emphasised was the role of biomarkers in early detection and personalised treatment plans. Her insights into the molecular mechanisms of kidney damage and repair offer hope for better diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies.

Professor Sinha also highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary approaches in managing kidney health saying: “Integrating genetics, biochemistry, and clinical practice allows us to create comprehensive strategies for managing kidney health.”

Her collaborative projects aim to bridge the gap between laboratory research and patient care, ensuring that scientific discoveries translate into tangible health benefits.

Professor Nick Lees: Innovations in Colorectal Surgery & Intestinal Failure

Professor Nick Lees grew up in Manchester and following his medical training at Cambridge and Oxford Universities and junior surgical training, he passed the FRCS exam in 1996 and promptly found himself back in the North West as a General Surgical Specialist Registrar. In 2001, Nick was awarded a Doctorate of Medicine (DM) for his groundbreaking research into the molecular epidemiology of colorectal neoplasia. His dedication to advancing medical knowledge was evident from the start. By 2004, he had secured a position as a consultant general, colorectal, and intestinal failure surgeon at  Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust.

Nick discussed how over the years, he has developed a busy clinical practice, focusing on high-risk bowel surgery for conditions such as colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. Beyond his work in standardising surgical care, Nick has developed a national practice in intestinal failure. He manages patients referred from all over the UK who require complex multidisciplinary surgical care due to complications. His dedication to these challenging cases has earned him a reputation as a leading expert in the field.

In addition to his clinical and research contributions, Nick has been a passionate educator and mentor. He has prepared over a thousand senior surgical trainees for the FRCS part three exam, helping to shape the next generation of surgeons. In 2018, his outstanding contributions were recognised when he was voted Public Servant of the Year by the city of Salford.

Nick’s dedication to patient care, research, and education has made him a respected figure both locally and internationally. Nick’s journey is a testament to the power of dedication, innovation, and leadership in the field of medicine. His work has not only improved patient outcomes but has also set new standards for surgical care that will benefit generations to come. Speaking on the importance of collaboration in research, Nick said: “If you’re going to do research, surround yourself by people that know what they’re doing and listen to them.”

MAHSC is a collaborative partnership between The University of Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust (part of the Northern Care Alliance), and Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. This alliance unites leading healthcare providers with world-class academics and researchers to foster innovation and advancements in healthcare.