UK medical royal college names winner of prestigious medal
NHS Grampian’s Director of R&D, Professor Seshadri Vasan, becomes first recipient of top award
A pioneering research leader, Professor Seshadri Vasan, has been awarded the inaugural Taylor Medal for patient care, innovation and leadership by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.
Throughout his international career, Professor Vasan’s research and commitment to knowledge exchange have played an important role in the fight against dangerous pathogens, including Covid-19, Dengue, Ebola and Zika.
As Director of Research and Development at NHS Grampian, he has helped the north of Scotland to become one of the UK's Commercial Research Delivery Centres for pioneering clinical trials, creating opportunities to test new treatments and address unmet needs. He also co-leads on research inclusion, skills, training and workforce development for the network of centres.
The medal bears the name of Professor Jackie Taylor, the College’s first female President, and recognises individuals with a demonstrable positive impact in patient care and leadership.
It was presented to Professor Vasan at a Diploma Ceremony at the College last night (Wednesday 25 March 2026).
He said: “I pray for strength to live up to an award that bears the name of our first female President. It will be a constant reminder of our personal responsibility to improve health equity.”
Professor Vasan is the first recipient of the new medal, which was launched in July 2025 to mark 425 years of innovation at the College. Founded in 1599, the College remains the UK’s only multidisciplinary royal college today.
Professor Jackie Taylor became College President in December 2018. Over her three-year term, she led the College through the Covid-19 pandemic, with a strong focus on the wellbeing of the profession, workforce challenges and inclusivity.
She said: “I’m delighted that Professor Vasan is the first recipient of this award. Leadership is a privilege, but it comes with many challenges. It is right that we should recognise and value the pivotal role that good leadership plays in improving patient care.”
Professor Vasan is the inaugural Director of Grampian Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC), and co-leads on research inclusion, skills, training and workforce development for the CRDC UK Network.
He has a longstanding career in medical leadership and is currently serving as an NHS Research Scotland Management Board Member. He is also an Honorary Professor at Edith Cowan University in Australia.
Previously, he led Australia’s pre-clinical response as Covid-19 Science Leader for the national science agency, CSIRO. In 2020, he led his team to the Chair’s Medal, the CSIRO’s highest award.
In 2024, he received the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow’s Triennial Travel Medicine Research Fellowship Award for his work on ‘Disease X’, furthering research into a potential pandemic and global preparedness.
For Public Health England (now known as the UK Health Security Agency), he played a key role as the innovation lead and contributed to the agency’s response to the Ebola and Zika emergencies.
Today, he is also Chair of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow’s Sustainability Steering Group, which is helping both the College and its 15,000 Fellows and Members worldwide play their part in addressing climate change and healthcare sustainability.
Congratulating Professor Vasan, Professor Hany Eteiba, President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, said: “When we celebrated our 425th year, we were reminded of the great innovators of our past. Now, we turn to the individuals who are leading medicine into the future.
“It my great pleasure to see Professor Vasan be the first recipient of this award. He is a compassionate leader who is committed to improving the health of people across the world.”
From:
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow