Director of Medical Science Policy, Academy of Medical Sciences

Policy Fellow, Centre for Science and Policy

Rachel Quinn has been Director of Medical Science Policy at the Academy of
Medical Sciences since June 2009. The Academy works with its elected Fellows –
drawn from leading medical scientists and allied disciplines – and other experts
to ensure that advances in medical science are translated into health and wealth
benefits. The Academy’s work informs policy that underpins science and innovation,
and ensures that public policy is informed by the latest evidence from biomedical
research.

Rachel’s team of ten policy staff work on projects in areas including: the
better use of evidence to evaluate medicines, multi-morbidities in global health; the
regulation and governance of health research; and ensuring a sustainable research
base (including the impact of Brexit and research culture). Rachel’s remit includes
the Academy’s engagement with its sister Academies across the world, particularly
in Europe and in less developed countries. Her team also delivers the Academy’s
FORUM that brings together academia, industry and the NHS on topics such as
stratified medicines, sustainable innovation, and MedTech.

Rachel joined the Academy from the Royal Society where she spent nine years, her
final post being Head of Strategy and Horizon Scanning in the Science Policy Centre.
Prior to that she worked for the Natural Environment Research Council. She has a
degree in Biology and a PhD in Ecology.