Keith Peters (physician) facts for kids

Sir David Keith Peters, born on July 26, 1938, is a Welsh doctor and a very smart academic who is now retired. He was a top professor of medicine at the University of Cambridge from 1987 to 2005. During that time, he also led the university's School of Clinical Medicine.

Early Life and Education

Keith Peters grew up in Wales. He went to Glan Afan Grammar School in Port Talbot. After high school, he studied medicine at the Welsh National School of Medicine. He finished his medical degree in 1961.

Career and Important Research

Sir Keith Peters was very interested in how our body's defense system, called the immune system, affects kidney and blood vessel diseases. He helped us understand more about a kidney disease called glomerulonephritis. This is a condition where the tiny filters in the kidneys get damaged.

He worked at several important places early in his career. These included the University of Birmingham and the National Institute for Medical Research. He also worked at the Welsh National School of Medicine.

In 1969, he became a teacher and a doctor at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School (RPMS) in Hammersmith Hospital. He taught medicine and also worked as a consultant, helping patients.

Leading Medical Research

From 1969 to 1977, Sir Keith Peters took on more important roles at the RPMS. He became a Professor of Medicine and led the Department of Medicine. His research focused on how the immune system causes kidney and blood vessel problems. He wanted to find new ways to treat these diseases.

In 1987, he moved to Cambridge. There, he became the head of the University's School of Medicine. He made the school much better and helped it become a major center for medical research. This added to Cambridge's strong reputation in basic science.

In 1990, he started a special program called the Cambridge MB-PhD. This program helps talented medical students get both a medical degree and a research degree. It was the first program of its kind in the UK. He also helped create the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. This is a big partnership between the University, the Medical Research Council, and Addenbrookes Hospital. Many leading medical experts in the UK worked with him.

Later Contributions

From 2006 to 2008, Sir Keith Peters was the temporary director of the MRC National Institute of Medical Research. He came up with the idea for what is now the Francis Crick Institute. This is a huge research center in London. He also served on its main committee from 2012 to 2016.

He also helped shape science in the UK. He was a member of important government councils that advised the Prime Minister on science and technology. From 2004 to 2011, he was the Chair of the Council of Cardiff University. From 2005 to 2016, he worked as a senior consultant for GlaxoSmithKline, a big pharmaceutical company.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Sir Keith Peters has received many honors for his work. He was made a knight in 1993, which means he can use "Sir" before his name. In 1995, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This is a very high honor for scientists. He was also the President of the Academy of Medical Sciences from 2002 to 2006.

He has received special degrees and fellowships from many universities around the world. These include universities in Wales, Scotland, England, and even Paris. In 2016, the University of Cambridge gave him a special Doctor of Medical Science degree. He is also a member of important American scientific groups.

In 2018, he received another very high honor, being appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE). This was for his great contributions to medical science.

To honor his work, several places have been named after him. The research building at the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research is now called the Keith Peters Building. A meeting room at the Francis Crick Institute and a ward at Hammersmith Hospital's kidney unit also carry his name.

See also

• List of Welsh medical pioneers