In 2002, HMRI welcomed our first-ever Life Governor, Jennie Thomas, who has made significant contributions to support HMRI's research. Both Jennie and her husband Philip, known as Em, are graduates of Newcastle. Jennie attended Newcastle Teacher's College and Em studied chemistry at Newcastle University College at Tighes Hill. To honour Em's successful career as an industrial chemist, Jennie decided to support HMRI and to fund a number of important research programs in the areas that interested them.

“Known to the business world as Philip and to family and friends as Em, my husband Philip Emlyn Thomas was a scientist, a man with a keen analytical brain who dedicated his life's work to spectroscopy. He was a man of integrity with deep moral and ethical values. He was committed to making a difference, where he could, to benefit the lives of others. He achieved much during his life – but was always a quiet achiever.” Jennie Thomas, HMRI Life Governor.

Like her husband, the late Philip Emlyn Thomas, HMRI Life Governor Mrs Jennie Thomas is living a life where her actions are making a difference to the lives of others.

Jennie’s support has allowed HMRI to fund the following programs and equipment:

• Emlyn and Jennie Thomas Postgraduate Scholarship in Cardiac Research
• Special Competitive Research Fund for Early Career Researchers in Cancer
• Cardiovascular equipment to be used for research and treatment including an ESI non-contact mapping system and a finometer to measure finger arterial blood pressure non-invasively
• Grant for “Evaluation of stepwise approach to multidisciplinary management of chronic cough; medical behaviour and treatment”, awarded to Ms Anne Vertigan