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Masliza Mahmod

Masliza Mahmod

Head of Clinical Trials Group

Honorary Consultant in Cardiac Imaging

Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine

Radcliffe Department of Medicine – Division of Cardiovascular Medicine

Tell us a bit about your role

I am the Head of the Clinical Trials Group of the University of Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research (OCMR), Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, which is one of the leading CMR research centres in the world. The main objective of the group is to find novel treatment that can be implemented in the NHS and thus improve patient care. I am also an Honorary Consultant in Cardiac Imaging at the John Radcliffe Hospital after obtaining Cardiology Specialist Registration with the UK General Medical Council in 2017.

I obtained a DPhil in Cardiovascular Medicine from Oxford followed by a period of postdoctoral fellowship (5 years) at OCMR prior to being awarded a University Research Lecturer in 2017 followed by an Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine in 2020. I am a member of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP, UK), and obtained Master of Internal Medicine (MMed) from Malaysia and primary medical degree (MBChB) from Otago University, New Zealand.

My role fits into the wider landscape of the Medical Sciences by doing research collaboration with investigators from other departments, student supervisions and examinations. I am also involved with shortlisting DPhil applications and interviewing DPhil candidates for the MSD. Within the RDM I am one of the Mentors for the RDM Mentoring Scheme.

What is the most meaningful aspect of your work?

My job requires strong leadership skills, as I work with multidisciplinary team consisting of clinical fellows, nurses, radiographers, trial coordinator and the operational team to facilitate success of my research projects. Additionally, my leadership and organisational skills have strengthened my collaborative work with investigators nationally and internationally

Can you tell us about something you've done, contributed to that you're most proud of?

I am the first woman, who is also the founder of the OCMR Clinical Trials group since 2013. In 2017, under my leadership, a major industry grant (multi-million pound) was obtained to investigate a new drug that could help the failing hearts. The success of the group together with my overall independent research achievements have led to conferment of the title of a University Research Lecturer in 2017, followed by an Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine recently in 2020.

I am also proud to have contributed to the diversity of the life in MDS. I have recently been reported as one of the first Malaysian women to become a professor at Oxford University, being praised by his Majesty of Malaysia’s monarch. This was in the Oxford Cherwell news in July 2020 as 'University’s Royal Praise', Cherwell news July 2020.

What changes would you most like to see in the Medical Sciences in the next 100 years?

I would like to see more women, in particular from minor ethnic groups to be in leadership roles. Furthermore, clinical academic women are also lacking in the MSD. Clinical academic women should be supported by a strong research infrastructure and staff to facilitate their success. Role models are also important as a source of inspiration for them. I would like to inspire younger women to be successful in science and to take up leadership roles. For example, I have been interviewed recently by the University of Bath, as a successful female scientist in the UK to provide advice and inspiration to young scientists at Bath. I would like this to be done at Oxford too.