Professor Constantin Coussios appointed Pro‑Vice‑Chancellor for Innovation

Professor Coussios joined Oxford as the first academic appointment in biomedical engineering in 2004 and was elected to the first statutory Chair in Biomedical Engineering in 2011. He served as Director of the Institute of Biomedical Engineering between 2016 and 2025, during which time the Institute grew from 16 to 30 academics and expanded from 4 to 8 strategic research areas. In 2022, he became the founding director of the Podium Institute in Sports Medicine and Technology, supported by a £40m ten‑year partnership between the University and Podium Analytics, creating the world’s first cross‑disciplinary biomedical institute focused on safety in youth, community and female sports.

In 2008, he co‑founded OrganOx Ltd, an Oxford University spin‑out that developed a novel normothermic perfusion device for improved liver and kidney preservation. OrganOx became the largest acquisition, and the first in excess of £1bn, to arise from the University following its purchase by Terumo in October 2025. In 2014, he co‑founded OxSonics Ltd, clinically translating ultrasound‑based technology for enhanced cancer drug delivery to solid tumours. In 2018, he co‑founded OrthoSon Ltd, which is developing a novel injectable bio‑structural gel to restore the intervertebral disc and address lower‑back pain.

Professor Coussios received the Silver Medal of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2017 for contributions to the translation of novel medical technologies into clinical practice, was elected a Fellow of the Academy in 2019, awarded an OBE in 2022 for Services to Biomedical Engineering, and elected a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2024. Since 2020, he has also served as an independent non‑executive Director of ConvaTec, a FTSE‑100 company. In 2025, he led the team that won the MacRobert Prize, the UK’s foremost award recognising technological innovation with societal and commercial impact.

Professor Irene Tracey, Vice‑Chancellor, said:

‘Professor Coussios has an outstanding track record in translating world‑leading research into impact through interdisciplinary leadership, external partnerships and successful spin‑outs, embodying the very best of Oxford’s innovation ecosystem. I am delighted that he will serve as Pro‑Vice‑Chancellor for Innovation, and I look forward to working with him to further strengthen our capacity to generate ideas, talent and technologies that benefit society locally, nationally and globally.’

Looking ahead to his new role, Professor Coussios said:

‘For the past twenty‑two years I have felt privileged to be part of Oxford, one of the ecosystems with the greatest concentration of creative energy in the world. I am committed to working to the best of my abilities with all stakeholders to preserve, evolve and enhance it, so that it can continue to serve as a springboard for the next generation of Oxonian innovators, across town and gown.’

Professor Coussios brings extensive experience in innovation strategy and its implementation, as well as in translating academic research excellence into societal, economic and policy impact. His leadership will support the University’s long‑term priorities, including advancing equitable innovation across Oxford, Oxfordshire and beyond, and strengthening entrepreneurship training at all levels.

We warmly congratulate Professor Coussios on his appointment and look forward to seeing the impact of his leadership in this important role.