University of Birmingham researchers have been recognised among the world-s most influential academics across a range of fields, according to new rankings.
The five researchers from the University on the prestigious Highly Cited Researchers 2025 list by Clarivate are Professors Iain Chapple, Gary Collins, Nick Loman, Richard Riley, and Yuli Shan.
Only one in 1,000 of the world-s global research community are named Highly Cited Researchers based on their influence in their field of research and the number of -Highly Citedpapers they have authored.
As we mark the University of Birmingham-s 125th anniversary in 2025, I’m delighted that this year-s Highly Cited Researchers list continues to recognise our researchersimpact on scholarship in their fields. We congratulate each of them on their outstanding contributions.
Professor Rachel O-Reilly FRS MBE, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research) - University of Birmingham
-Birmingham provides the highest quality academic experience and our five researcherssuccess illustrates why Birmingham is a growing choice for leading scholars who want to be involved in world-class research and enhance their global academic reputation.-
Birmingham-s five highly cited researchers in 2025 are:
Professor Chapple is Oral, Intestinal and Systemic Health Theme Lead with Birmingham NIHR Biomedical Research Centre in Inflammation. His research interests lie in periodontology, periodontal medicine and surgery, nutrition, and molecular methods.
Professor Gary Collins - Clinical Medicine and Social Sciences
Professor Nick Loman - Biology and Biochemistry
Director of the Institute of Microbiology and Infection and Professor of Microbial Genomics and Bioinformatics, Professor Loman-s research explores cutting-edge genomics and metagenomics approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance of infectious disease.
As Professor of Biostatistics, an NIHR Senior Investigator and a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Professor Riley focuses on applied and methodology research for healthcare, especially regarding prognosis, prediction models, and individual participant data meta-analysis.
Yuli Shan is a Professor in Sustainable Transitions. His interdisciplinary research aims to reveal how human activities affect global and regional climate change. He is also Director of the University of Birmingham - Nanjing University Joint Centre for Research and Education in Environment & Health, and Sustainability & Climate Change.
Professor Chapple is designated as -Cross-Fieldreflecting the importance of his work in multiple research areas.
Each researcher selected has authored a minimum number of Highly Cited Papers - research documents which rank in the top 1% by citations for their field(s) and publication year in the Web of Science Core Collection over the past 11 years. This list, based on citation data, is refined using other quantitative metrics, qualitative analysis, and expert judgment by the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI).
David Pendlebury, Head of Research Analysis at the Institute for Scientific Information at Clarivate said: -The Highly Cited Researchers list identifies and celebrates exceptional individual researchers at the University of Birmingham who demonstrate significant and broad influence in their fields.
-They exemplify excellence in their research as well as integrity in their publication and citation practices. These researchers continue to shape the future of science, technology, and academia globally and deliver innovation that drives societal progress.-
Honorary Professor Wiebke Arlt - now at Imperial College London - is also Highly Cited as -Cross-Field-. Professor Arlt led a large, multi-disciplinary research group at Birmingham, investigating the role of steroids in health and disease.
-Being designated as a Highly Cited Researcher not only underscores the influence of my research within the academic community but also enhances my ability to engage with local governments, environmental agencies, and policymakers who rely on robust data to implement meaningful climate action. This visibility creates new opportunities for impactful collaborations.-
For more information, please contact the University of Birmingham press office on or +44 (0) 121 414 2772.
The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions, its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers and teachers and more than 8,000 international students from over 150 countries.
Clarivate recognised 6,868 individuals with 7,131 awards from more than 1,300 institutions in 61 countries and regions. The number of awards exceeds the number of unique individuals because some researchers are recognised in more than one Essential Science Indicators (ESI) field of research.
Professor Iain Chapple. Professor of Periodontology and Consultant in Restorative Dentistry. ICS Head of Research
Staff profile for Professor Gary S. Collins, 125th Anniversary Chair and Professor of Medical Statistics within the Department of Applied Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham.
Professor Loman’s research explores the use of cutting-edge genomics and metagenomics approaches to infectious disease
Staff profile for Richard Riley, Professor of Biostatistics, Department of Applied Health Sciences, University of Birmingham
Professor Shanis an expert in Climate Change and Sustainable Transitions. His research aims to reveal how human activities affect global and regional climate change.
