Dr Melanie Ivarsson Appointed CEO of Health Data Research Service
Dr Melanie Ivarsson, a healthcare innovator who led clinical trials for one of the world’s first Covid-19 vaccines at Moderna, was appointed CEO of the Health Data Research Service (HDRS) on 12 January 2026.12
HDRS, backed by up to £600 million from the UK government and Wellcome, will provide a secure single access point to national-scale health datasets, slashing red tape for approved researchers while maintaining data security and privacy safeguards.12
The service aims to accelerate discoveries for diseases like cancer, dementia, and arthritis, supporting the government’s Plan for Change and Life Sciences Sector Plan.1
Baroness Nicola Blackwood was previously appointed as HDRS Chair in November 2025; the service is set to become operational by December 2026 at the Wellcome Genome Campus in Cambridgeshire.12
Health Innovation Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed praised Ivarsson’s expertise in leading healthcare discoveries to transform patient care using NHS data securely.12
Sources:
1. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/healthcare-innovator-appointed-to-health-data-research-service
2. https://www.digitalhealth.net/2026/01/melanie-ivarsson-appointed-ceo-of-health-data-research-service/