About

Dr Jonathan Millar

I serve as Chief of Staff at the Learning Model of Life, The University of Edinburgh and am a Senior Clinical Research Fellow at the University’s Baillie-Gifford Pandemic Science Hub and of the Generative AI Lab. I practice clinical medicine as an Honorary Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow. My career spans the realms of clinical practice, cutting-edge research, and technological innovation, driven by a passion for improving patient outcomes in critical care.

Learning Model of Life

Founded in 2024, the Learning Model of Life is a cross-college initiative of The University of Edinburgh. It is a constituent of the University’s Generative AI Lab (GAIL) and is supported by EPCC, the UK’s leading centre of Supercomputing and Data Science. Drawing on world-class talent from across the University, the Learning Model of Life aims to develop an autonomously-learning computational model of life.

Research Focus

My research interests lie at the exciting intersection of functional genomics, foundation models, and their applications to drug discovery. I’ve played key roles in ground breaking studies, including the world’s largest critical care genome-wide association study (GenOMICC) and the international PANTHER phase II platform trial for acute respiratory failure.

Achievements and Impact

With over 50 original articles published and more than 7,000 citations, my work has contributed to the field of critical care medicine. I’ve secured over £20 million in research funding and have been recognised with several awards, including an NHMRC Doctoral Fellowship.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

I thrive on collaboration, working with researchers across the UK, Europe, North America, and Australasia. This global network allows me to tackle complex challenges from multiple perspectives, fostering innovation and driving research progress.

Clinical Expertise

With over a decade of experience in intensive care medicine, I’ve honed my skills in managing complex cases, particularly in acute severe respiratory failure and extracorporeal life support. My clinical work at Scotland’s largest critical care department and major trauma centre keeps me grounded in the day-to-day realities of patient care, informing and inspiring my research endeavours

Personal Philosophy

I believe in the power of interdisciplinary approaches to solve complex problems. My goal is to leverage my unique blend of clinical experience, research expertise, and technological insight to drive meaningful change in medicine, ultimately improving outcomes for patients. Looking ahead, I’m excited about the possibilities that lie at the intersection of genomics, AI, and clinical medicine. I’m always open to new collaborations and opportunities that can help turn scientific discoveries into life-saving interventions.