Tal Arnon, Professor of Cellular Immunology
Tal joined the Kennedy Institute as a Senior Research Fellow in January 2014. She leads the Arnon Group that explores how adaptive immune responses are orchestrated within live tissues. Their overall goal is to uncover fundamental principles that regulate the adaptive immune system and to use this knowledge for the development of better vaccines and therapies against immunological disorders.
'I am truly grateful to be awarded the title of full Professor, even if it does make me feel a bit older! I want to extend my thanks to the Kennedy Institute for their unwavering support and trust over the years and to express my sincere gratitude to the many talented and dedicated trainees and colleagues, who have contributed to creating such a dynamic and inspiring environment.'
Steph Dakin, Professor of Musculoskeletal Sciences
After starting her career as a vet working in equine orthopaedics, Stephanie decided to apply her experience to human medicine. She started working at NDORMS in 2013, and later became Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) for the Taught MSc in Musculoskeletal Sciences.
Her research group explores the cellular and molecular basis of inflammatory fibrotic soft tissue joint diseases, and has research programmes on tendinopathy, frozen shoulder and knee arthrofibrosis. The group aims to advance understanding of how musculoskeletal soft tissue disorders develop and how injured tissues heal.
'I'm honoured to have been conferred the title of Professor of Musculoskeletal Sciences. I am immensely grateful to family, colleagues, mentors, lab members, NDORMS and Green Templeton College for their unwavering support on this academic journey. This achievement reflects the hard work and commitment of all the members of my research team and collaborators who have contributed to advancing understanding of soft tissue joint disease. I am excited for this next chapter and the opportunity to advance our research and support the career trajectories of the future leaders in the musculoskeletal sciences.'
Catherine Swales, Professor of Medical Education
Catherine divides her time between clinical work, research on the NIHR clinical trials unit and student teaching/supervision. She has been teaching and training Oxford University medical students and postgraduates since 2003, and as Director of Undergraduate Studies at NDORMS since 2011.
Her current research interests focus on clinical trial delivery where she supports a portfolio of academic-led and experimental medicine studies, as well as later phase clinical trials.
'I am deeply honoured to have been awarded the title of Professor of Medical Education and am indebted to all those who've supported and nudged/bumped me along the way. It demonstrates the value that MSD places on undergraduate (bio)medical teaching at Oxford – and is entirely dependent on a huge team. NDORMS and the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences wouldn't be anything without their inspiring, committed academic staff and clinical colleagues (across MSD and Trusts in the Thames Valley), the admin teams who keep various ships afloat, and crucially the students – who are at the joyful root of everything we do. It's such fun to work with them all.'
Head of Department Professor Jonathan Rees said: 'I am delighted that Tal, Steph and Catherine have been recognised and I offer my personal congratulations. They richly deserve these titles in recognition of their significant contributions to research, teaching and citizenship at NDORMS and the wider University.'