Leszek Borysiewicz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leszek Borysiewicz
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Borysiewicz in 2008
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| 345th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge | |
| In office 1 October 2010 – 1 October 2017 |
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| Chancellor | |
| Preceded by | Dame Alison Richard |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Toope |
| Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council | |
| In office 1 October 2007 – 30 September 2010 |
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| Minister | |
| Preceded by | Colin Blakemore |
| Succeeded by | Sir John Savill |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Leszek Krzysztof Borysiewicz
13 April 1951 Cardiff, Wales |
| Education | Cardiff University School of Medicine (MB BCh) Imperial College London (PhD) |
| Occupation | Immunologist and academic |
| Awards | Knight Bachelor GBE |
| Scientific career | |
| Thesis | Cell mediated immunity to human cytomegalovirus infection (cytotoxic T cell and natural killer cell mediated lysis of human cytomegalovirus infected cells) (1986) |
| Doctoral advisor | J. G. P. Sissons Keith Peters |
Sir Leszek Krzysztof Borysiewicz, born on April 13, 1951, is a British professor and expert in immunology. He is also a scientific administrator. He was the 345th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge. His time in this role started on October 1, 2010, and ended on October 1, 2017.
Before that, Sir Leszek was the chief executive of the Medical Research Council in the UK from 2007 to 2010. He also served as the chairman of Cancer Research UK from 2016 to 2023.
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Early Life and Education
Leszek Krzysztof Borysiewicz was born in Cardiff, Wales. His parents, Jan and Zofia Borysiewicz, were Polish refugees from World War II. They came to Great Britain with the Anders' Army. Sir Leszek speaks Polish very well.
After attending Cardiff High School, he studied at the Cardiff University School of Medicine. He earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in anatomy in 1972. Then, he received his medical degree (MB BCh) in 1975.
In 1986, he earned a PhD degree from Imperial College London. His research focused on how the body's immune system fights human cytomegalovirus infection. This included studying how certain cells, like cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells, destroy infected cells.
In 1989, he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. In 2010, he received a Master of Arts (MA) degree from the University of Cambridge. This happened when he became the new Vice-Chancellor of the university.
Career and Research Focus
Sir Leszek Borysiewicz built his career in academic medicine. He worked at the University of Cambridge and was a fellow at Wolfson College. Later, he became a consultant at Hammersmith Hospital.
He led the Department of Medicine at the University of Wales. After that, he joined Imperial College London. There, he became the Deputy Rector. This role meant he was in charge of the college's overall academic and scientific direction.
Leading Medical Research
In September 2007, Sir Leszek became the head of the Medical Research Council. This is a big national organization in the UK. It supports medical science with a large budget. He held this position until 2010.
From November 2016 to 2023, Sir Leszek was the chairman of Cancer Research UK. This is one of the world's largest charities that raises money for research. As chairman, he helped set the charity's main goals and guided its work. The council of trustees, led by him, makes sure the charity follows its values and rules. They also advise the chief executive.
Sir Leszek has also held other important roles. He chaired the European Research Council Identification Committee from 2014 to 2020. He was also on the Scientific Advisory Board for the UK Government's Department for International Development.
Current Roles and Scientific Work
Today, Sir Leszek has several roles. He is a member of the UK Health Honours Committee. He is also part of the Wales Science and Innovation Council. He works as a non-executive director at 52 North Health. He chairs Diamond Light Source, which is the UK's national synchrotron facility.
His research mainly focuses on how the immune system fights viruses. He studies infectious diseases and viral-induced cancer. His work on vaccines is very important. He led Europe's first trial of a vaccine for human papillomavirus. This vaccine helps treat cervical cancer. This research took place at Cardiff University. He has also written and edited books about these topics, including one called Vaccinations.
Awards and Special Honours
Sir Leszek Borysiewicz has received many awards and honours for his work.
Knighthoods and National Honours
- He was made a Knight by Queen Elizabeth II in 2001. This was for his great contributions to medical research and education.
- In 2012, he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire.
- In October 2018, he received the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland. This is a very high honour from Poland given to people who have helped the country.
- In 2025, King Charles III appointed him a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE). This was for his services to cancer research, clinical research, medicine, and charities.
Academic and Medical Recognition
- In 2001, he became an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists.
- He received the Moxon Trust Medal from the Royal College of Physicians in 2002.
- He was a Governor of the Wellcome Trust.
- He was a founding Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
- He co-chaired the Medical Research Council's advisory group on stem cell research.
- He has received many honorary Doctor of Science (Hon DSc) degrees from universities. These include the University of Hull (2008), the University of Southampton (2008), Queen Mary University of London (2009), and the University of Exeter (2009).
- In 2008, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).
- In 2010, he received an honorary Doctorate of Medicine (Hon MD) from the University of Sheffield.
- Also in 2010, he was elected a Founding Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales (FLSW).
- In 2012, the University of Hong Kong awarded him an honorary Doctor of Science degree.
- He received an honorary Doctorate of Law (Hon LLD) from the University of Cambridge in 2018.
- In 2019, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the Jagiellonian University.
