Dr Tony Elston
Dr Bruce Sizer
Two Colchester consultants have become Honorary Professors of the University in recognition of their strong academic and research links with Essex.
Dr Tony Elston, Consultant Microbiologist, and Dr Bruce Sizer, Consultant Oncologist, both work for Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust. Dr Elston became a consultant there in 1992 and Dr Sizer four years later.
Professor Elena Klenova, Director of the University’s Essex Biomedical Sciences Institute (EBSI), said: “Dr Sizer and Dr Elston have an excellent track record as clinicians and have been working with the university for many years.
“Dr Sizer is the Essex Cancer Lead for the Eastern Academic Health Science Network and Dr Elston is Co-Director of EBSI, organisations which are of strategic importance to the university.
“The award of the titles will secure and develop these strategic links further. Dr Sizer and Dr Elston will continue to contribute to research collaborations, teaching and consultancies, and the University will certainly benefit greatly from their experience and expertise.”
Dr Elston, a former lay member of the University’s Council, has been Co-Director of EBSI for more than a decade.
“It is touching that my work with the University of Essex has been recognised in this way,” he said.
Dr Sizer paid tribute to his colleagues Dr Phil Murray, Consultant Oncologist, and Mr Simon Marsh and Mr John Corr, Consultant Surgeons, who he said had been instrumental in developing the relationship between the Trust and the University.
“Those links are especially strong around prostate cancer and breast cancer,” he said. “For example, we are going to fund a PhD student at the university to research molecular markers for prostate cancer.”
Professor Christine Raines, Head of the School of Biological Sciences, said: “I am delighted that Bruce Sizer and Tony Elston have become Honorary Professors of the University of Essex.
“These awards acknowledge and recognise the contribution they have already made to the university, and will further strengthen the relationship between the university and Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust.”