Supporting cutting-edge medical research

The Dennis and Mireille Gillings Foundation has donated £1 million to the University of Exeter Medical School to support its pioneering work in genetic disorders.

The donation has helped fund academic posts at Exeter Medical School and, in particular, has supported the appointment of key researchers commissioned to develop the School’s personalised medicine agenda.

The research is helping to improve patient care in the NHS and beyond, building expertise in the diagnosis of genetic disorders, including in early pregnancy, and other innovative diagnostic testing.

The Foundation is a member of the prestigious College of Benefactors, which acknowledges the importance of philanthropy and recognises the University’s most generous donors.

I have been hugely impressed by the growth and development of the University of Exeter into one of the UK’s top ten and now world’s top 100 universities. Our gift to the Medical School will sustain and enhance Exeter’s pioneering research in this field.

Dr Dennis Gillings, CBE, Hon DSc (BSc Mathematics, 1966 and PhD Mathematics, 1972)

Thanks to this extraordinary act of generosity we are able to pioneer novel diagnostics across a wide range of genetic disorders, encourage research that is embedded within clinical care and increase Exeter’s standing as a Centre for Clinical Excellence.

Professor Andrew Hattersley, FRS, Gillings Chair in Precision Medicine