Wellcome appoints Cheryl Moore to Director, Research Programmes role

As Director, Research Programmes, Cheryl will lead Wellcome’s broad programme of scientific discovery research, as well as its research on three key urgent health challenge areas: mental health, infectious diseases, and the health effects of global heating. The London-based charitable foundation now spends over £1 billion a year funding health-related research.

Cheryl brings extensive experience in research leadership in both private and non-profit organisations. Prior to the New York Genome Center, she spent 12 years in leadership positions at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, including both as Executive Vice President and as founding COO of the Janelia Research Campus. Her early career focused on finance and strategy for healthcare organisations.

She is also a member of the governing boards of the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, Genome Research Limited (parent company of the Wellcome Sanger Institute and Wellcome Genome Campus), and the Association of Independent Research Institutes.

She will take up the post in May 2021.

Jeremy Farrar, Director of the Wellcome Trust, said: "I’m delighted that Cheryl will be joining us to oversee our research programmes. Among a highly competitive field, she stood out as a leader with a great breadth and depth of experience in medical research. She brings a combination of strategic ambition alongside deft operational management, and a record of leading successful innovation.

"She will oversee and develop our new health challenge areas and our crucial discovery research programme, as well as be a key advocate for the positive and inclusive culture we want to nurture throughout the world of research through our role as a funder."

Cheryl Moore said: "The last year has underscored like never before the critical importance of the role of science in improving global health. Wellcome has clear ambitions to push the boundaries of discovery science for health and to move the needle on some of the world’s most pressing health challenges – infectious disease, mental health, and the health consequences of global heating.

"I am honoured to have the opportunity to be a part of Wellcome’s mission to improve human health – there’s nothing more urgent right now, and I’m eager to dedicate my energies to this vital work.

"I'm fortunate to be joining an outstanding team of smart and committed staff, one that has worked harder than ever over the last year, in spite of challenging circumstances. I very much look forward to working with my new colleagues in and around Wellcome and our many research partners in the UK and across the globe."