Researcher profile

Prof Matthew James Rowland

Physician–scientist and senior pharmaceutical leader with 10+ years leading complex Phase II-II programs in critical illness (stroke, traumatic brain injury, ARDS, sepsis). Built on 7+ years of Consultant-level practice in Intensive Care Medicine (UK), leading multidisciplinary teams in high-acuity tertiary ICUs. Currently working as a Senior Clinical Development Medical Director at Novartis, accountable for end-to-end clinical leadership of a Phase II program in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury - strategy, translational design, execution, safety oversight, regulatory, and lifecycle planning with input into global governance and executive stakeholders (e.g. GPT, DULT, IMB). Proven track record at Novartis and Roche in global matrix leadership, cross-functional governance, and external stakeholder engagement (investigators, KOLs, consortia and patient leaders). PhD in Clinical Neurosciences (University of Oxford) and Honorary Professor (Queen’s University Belfast). >40 peer-reviewed publications (~5,000 citations, h-index 27) and >£1M in grant funding as CI/co-applicant. Recognised for combining scientific rigour with pragmatic decision-making, and for building and leading high-performing, multidisciplinary teams across geographies.