Named after the pioneering surgeon and scientist John Hunter and dating back over two centuries, the Hunterian Professorship is among the most prestigious awards in the field of surgery.

It recognises Professor Andrew’s work at Newcastle University on personalising surgical care using AI.

Professor Andrew is an Academic Plastic Surgeon and CRUK funded PhD student at Newcastle University. His research focuses on digital healthcare innovation in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, applying artificial intelligence to high-risk skin and head and neck cancers. He has collaborated with industry leaders such as Microsoft and OpenAI and has worked internationally with the NIH, French, and Australian policymakers on Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) prognostication.

A former NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow and Postdoctorate at Stanford University, he is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins Data Specialisation Programme. He is also an international invited guest speaker and serves as a reviewer for leading surgical and dermatology journals.

Personalising surgical oncology with AI

The Hunterian Professorship is considered to be one of the proudest traditional honours of the Royal College of Surgeons bestowed to surgeons of eminence who have richly contributed to the field of surgery by original research or innovations. 

Hunterian Professors are invited to give an annual Hunterian Lecture on their field of specialism and chosen research. Professor Andrew will deliver his Hunterian Lecture, titled ‘Personalising Surgical Oncology with AI: Transforming Decision-Making in Skin Cancer’ at the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) Annual Meeting in December..

Professor Andrew said: “Being awarded the Hunterian Professorship is a tremendous honour and a testament to the incredible collaborations that have made this research possible.

“Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionise surgical oncology, providing personalised, data-driven insights to enhance patient outcomes. Every patient is unique, and by harnessing AI, we can move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to deliver truly individualised care—tailoring treatments to the specific needs of each person rather than relying on broad, non-specific strategies. I look forward to sharing our work and advancing this field further.”

You can read more on Dr Andrew’s most recent published research into using AI to predict the outcome of aggressive skin cancers.