Mark Walport facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Mark Walport
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Mark Walport
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| Born |
Mark Jeremy Walport
25 January 1953 London, England
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| Education | St Paul's School, London |
| Alma mater | University of Cambridge (PhD) |
| Known for |
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| Spouse(s) |
Julia Elizabeth Neild
(m. 1986) |
| Children | 4 |
| Awards |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Immunology Rheumatology |
| Institutions |
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| Thesis | The biology of complement receptors (1986) |
| Doctoral advisor | Peter Lachmann |
Sir Mark Jeremy Walport (born January 25, 1953) is a famous English medical scientist. He held very important jobs in the United Kingdom. From 2013 to 2017, he was the Government Chief Scientific Adviser. This means he gave scientific advice to the UK government.
Later, from 2017 to 2020, he was the Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). UKRI helps fund and support research across the UK. In 2023, he also became the Foreign Secretary of The Royal Society. This is a very old and respected scientific group.
Contents
Education and Early Life
Mark Walport was born in London. His father was a general practitioner, which is a family doctor. Mark went to a school called St Paul's School, London.
He then studied medicine at Clare College, Cambridge, a part of the University of Cambridge. He finished his medical training at hospitals in London. In 1986, he earned his PhD from the University of Cambridge. His research was about something called complement receptors.
Career as a Scientist
Before working for the government, Sir Mark Walport was a professor. From 1991, he was a Professor of Medicine at Imperial College London. He also became the head of the Division of Medicine there in 1997.
At Imperial College, he led a team of researchers. They studied the immunology and genetics of rheumatic diseases. These are conditions that affect joints, muscles, and bones.
Leading the Wellcome Trust
From 2003 to 2013, Sir Mark was the Director of the Wellcome Trust. The Wellcome Trust is a very large charity. It supports research to improve health for everyone. As Director, he helped decide which important medical research projects would get funding.
Working for the Government
Sir Mark Walport became the eleventh Government Chief Scientific Adviser in 2013. He held this role until 2017. In this job, he advised the Prime Minister and other government ministers on science and technology. He made sure that government decisions were based on the best scientific evidence.
In February 2017, he took on another big role. He became the Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). UKRI brings together different research councils. It helps to make sure that the UK is a world leader in science and innovation. He left this role in 2020.
Awards and Recognition
Sir Mark Walport has received many important awards for his work.
- In 2009, he was knighted. This means he was given the title "Sir" by the Queen. It was for his great contributions to medical research.
- In 2011, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK.
- In 2017, he was also elected an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE).
These awards show how much his scientific work and leadership are valued.
Personal Life
Sir Mark Walport is married to Dr Julia Walport. She is also involved in important work. She is the master of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries. Lady Walport also helps charities like the Amber Trust and the Ealing Youth Orchestra. She received an MBE award in 2024.
