Leading clinicians join Sports Medicine research group

An internationally recognised knee surgeon and a specialist in brain injury rehabilitation have joined our multidisciplinary team of academics and clinicians here at Leeds.

Professors Andy Willams and Richard Sylvester join the Sport and Exercise Medicine Group, Leeds’ growing network of international clinical experts contributing to education and collaboration in Sports and Exercise Medicine (SEM) and musculoskeletal health.  

The appointment strengthens the growing reputation of the group which is aimed at bringing together outstanding training and research excellence in SEM. 

We are delighted to welcome Professor Willams and Professor Sylvester to University of Leeds. They are both highly respected experts in the sports and exercise world who have had a significant impact on the treatment and rehabilitation of sports-based injuries, from knee ligament reconstruction to traumatic brain injuries. Their expertise will bring valuable clinical insight to our teaching and academic activities.

Professor Dane Vishnubala, Professor of Sport and Exercise Medicine

Professor Andy Williams 

Professor Andy Williams joins as a Visiting Professor of Orthopaedics within the School of Biomedical Sciences.

Professor Williams is an internationally recognised orthopaedic surgeon specialising in knee surgery, especially ligament reconstruction and sports related injuries. His clinical work focuses on the diagnosis and surgical management of complex knee injuries, particularly anterior cruciate ligament injuries and multi-ligament knee instability. 

He is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at, and founder of, Fortius Clinic in London, one of the UK’s leading specialist sports medicine and orthopaedic centres. Throughout his career, he has worked extensively with elite athletes and professional sports organisations, supporting the management and rehabilitation of high level sports injuries and helping athletes safely return to performance following surgery. 

Professor Williams combines clinical practice with research and education in sports orthopaedics and rehabilitation. His work has contributed to advancing surgical techniques for knee ligament injuries and improving understanding of injury mechanisms, surgical reconstruction and rehabilitation strategies in athletes. 

At the University of Leeds, Professor Williams will contribute to academic activity in orthopaedics and sport and exercise medicine, supporting teaching and knowledge exchange within the School of Biomedical Sciences. 

It is a privilege to join University of Leeds as Visiting Professor. Leeds has an excellent reputation in sport and exercise medicine and biomedical sciences. I look forward to contributing to teaching and collaboration that connects clinical orthopaedic practice with research and education.

Professor Andy Williams, Visiting Professor, School of Biomedical Sciences

Professor Richard Sylvester 

Professor Richard Sylvester is a Consultant Neurologist specialising in neurological rehabilitation, brain injury and the neurological effects of sports related head impacts. He is widely recognised for his clinical expertise in concussion and brain health in sport. His clinical practice focuses on neurological rehabilitation following brain injury and the management of young onset cognitive disorders. He leads a specialist brain injury rehabilitation service and runs a multidisciplinary complex concussion clinic supporting athletes and individuals experiencing persistent symptoms following head injury. 

Professor Sylvester has particular expertise in the diagnosis and management of sports related concussion and the long term neurological effects of repetitive head impacts. He directs an advanced brain health programme focused on the assessment and management of former professional athletes with neurocognitive symptoms. 

Alongside his clinical work, Professor Sylvester is actively involved in research exploring the long term neurological consequences of contact sport participation, including the role of biomarkers and advanced neuroimaging in understanding brain injury and neurodegeneration. 

Group goes from strength- to-strength 

These new appointments comes as joint leader of the group, Professor Dane Vishnubala,  joins BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine as joint Editor-in-Chief. 

In his new role, Professor Vishnubala will focus on maintaining strong scientific standards while continuing to grow the journal’s global reach and practical impact for clinicians, researchers and practitioners.

Commenting on his new role, Professor Dane Vishnubala said:

I’m honoured to join Professors Ben Jones, Fiona Wilson and Dr Sharief Hendricks as Joint Editor-in-Chief of BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine. As a quartet, we will ensure the journal continues to publish high-quality research while strengthening its role as a global, multidisciplinary community that helps translate evidence into practice for clinicians, researchers and practitioners in sport and exercise medicine.

Further information

Looking to develop your clinical expertise or expand your research interests in Sports and Exercise Medicine? Contact the team at SEM@leeds.ac.uk to discuss how you can work together. 

Top image: Andy Williams (left) and Richard Sylvester (right)