Exeter scientist elected to prestigious Academy of Medical Sciences Fellowship

An expert in medical mycology at the University Exeter has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to the field of medical sciences.

Professor Elaine Bignell is one of 60 exceptional biomedical and health scientists across the UK to be elected to the Academy of Medical Sciences Fellowship for 2026.

Elaine is a Professor of Medical Mycology at Exeter and Co-Director of the Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology. She is an international leader in the field of fungal diseases who is delivering transformative insights into the challenging, understudied, area of deadly mould infections and leading multiple innovative antifungal drug discovery and development projects via collaborative academic-industry partnerships.

Professor Bignell said: “I’m delighted to become a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and the opportunity this gives to highlight fungal diseases which kill millions of people annually and cause untold suffering in many millions more.

“For decades, these complex and understudied diseases have failed to attract the level of investment required to develop and safeguard vital treatments, or to provide essential specialist training to researchers and clinicians. These shortfalls are now critically compounded by increasing rates of antifungal drug resistance, for which we lack effective solutions and that disproportionately affect populations with limited access to health care and live-saving drugs.

“I hope that by working in partnership with the Academy, new opportunities will emerge to harness collaborations and discovery science that will help to turn the tide on life-threatening fungal infections.”

Professor Bignell is driving forwards the translation of new scientific discoveries to advance the development of antifungal therapies, including the application of new experimental platforms for optimisation of combination antifungal therapies. The global impact of these efforts will be to protect the patient, as well as the long-term utility of antifungal drugs.

This latest cohort of Fellows have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to advancing medical science, through discovery research, translational work and the application of scientific knowledge in ways that deliver tangible benefits for patients and the wider public.

Professor Andrew Morris CBE FRSE PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said:“It is a privilege to welcome this outstanding new cohort to the Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences. Each of our new Fellows has been recognised by their peers for exceptional achievement for the influence their work has had in advancing medical science and improving health.

“The diversity of disciplines represented this year reflects the richness of modern medical science and the value of collaboration across fields. At a time when health challenges are increasingly complex, the Academy’s Fellowship provides a trusted, independent platform for scientific leaders to work together, champion excellence, and help ensure research delivers real benefits for people and communities.”

The new Fellows will be formally admitted to the Academy at a ceremony on Tuesday 30 June.