Technology Assessment team announces new lead

Professor G.J. Melendez-Torres will join from DECIPHer at Cardiff University to lead the Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG). A registered nurse with a first degree in health economics and a doctorate in social epidemiology, G.J. joins the University as Professor of Clinical and Social Epidemiology. His research interests are largely related to complex methodological development in health technology assessment (HTA), evidence synthesis and primary research.

PenTAG specialises in conducting health technology assessment for national policy makers in England and Wales. The team is one of several university-based research groups in the UK contracted to produce high quality systematic reviews and economic analyses of health technologies for NICE, the UK National Screening Committee and the NIHR HTA Programme.

Professor Melendez-Torres said: “I am really looking forward to joining PenTAG. Having worked closely with colleagues from ESMI (Evidence Synthesis & Modeling for Health Improvement) in the past, I know that I am joining a vibrant and innovative community and I have already been impressed by how warm and welcoming it is. The current period of expansion for the College of Medicine and Health offers many exciting opportunities for the development of HTA and evidence synthesis in Exeter and I am thrilled to be part of it.’

Beyond HTA, his substantive interests are in the public health aspects of child and adolescent social development and intimate partner violence. Professor Clive Ballard, Dean and Executive Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter Medical School, said: “We are delighted to welcome G.J. to the College. PenTAG has been an extremely successful group and we are confident that it will grow in strength under his leadership.”