Professor Iain Whitaker, a prominent figure in the field of plastic surgery, has been recognized with an OBE for his contributions to clinical practice, research, and training. Professor Whitaker holds the Chair of Plastic Surgery at Swansea University Medical School and serves as an honorary consultant plastic surgeon at the Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery located in Morriston Hospital.
Expressing his gratitude, Professor Whitaker stated, “I am thankful to receive recognition for more than 20 years of work within the specialty of plastic surgery and would like to thank all those involved in my nomination and acknowledge that this is also a reflection of the achievements and contributions of the organisations, communities and individuals that I work with.”
He further emphasized his dedication to improving patient care through innovative approaches. “My aim has been to work tirelessly to investigate ways to improve patient care, whilst building a multidisciplinary team and inspiring the brightest and the best surgeons in training to come to Wales and raise the profile of the nation,” he added.
Professor Whitaker's academic journey began at Trinity Hall, Cambridge where he studied medicine before specializing in plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery. His training spanned several countries including the UK, Netherlands, Sweden, USA, Australia, and France. He was awarded a Plastic Surgery Fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons. At 36 years old, he became the youngest professor appointed in any surgical discipline in the UK when he took on a full professorship at Swansea University.
In 2012, Professor Whitaker founded The ReconRegen Research Centre at Swansea University. This center unites over 20 professionals from various disciplines. In 2022, it launched a £2.5 million research program funded by Scar Free Foundation and Health & Care Research Wales; this event was inaugurated by Sophie Rhys-Jones.
Currently leading a £2.07 million project named 3D Bioface aimed at advancing facial reconstruction techniques using human cells combined with natural bio-ink through pioneering 3D bioprinting methods; his work runs parallel with significant global studies on facial scars' impact physically as well as psychologically.
Among numerous professional roles held by him are being Health & Care Research Wales Surgical Specialty Lead alongside becoming first ever joint academic scholar from both American Association Of Plastic Surgeons plus European Association Of Plastic Surgeons collaborating directly alongside Harvard Medical School experts too!
Professor Whitaker's scholarly output includes over 300 published papers along with five authored books while contributing actively across multiple journal editorial boards.