Stephen O'Rahilly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Stephen O'Rahilly
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 1 April 1958 Dublin, Ireland
|
| Citizenship | Ireland United Kingdom |
| Alma mater | University College Dublin (MB, BCh, BAO, MD) |
| Spouse(s) |
Suzy Oakes
(m. 1990; died 2011) |
| Awards |
|
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Bariatrics |
| Institutions |
|
Sir Stephen Patrick O'Rahilly (born 1 April 1958) is an Irish-British physician and scientist. He is famous for his important research into how human obesity, insulin resistance, and related health problems start at a tiny, molecular level. These conditions affect how our bodies use energy and hormones.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Stephen O'Rahilly was born in Dublin, Ireland, on April 1, 1958. He went to Beneavin De La Salle College in Dublin. He then studied medicine at University College Dublin. In 1981, he earned his first medical degrees (MB BCh BAO). He continued his studies and received a higher medical degree, a Doctor of Medicine (MD), in 1987.
Research and Discoveries
Professor O'Rahilly's work focuses on understanding serious health issues. He has studied Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance at top universities like University of Oxford and Harvard Medical School. Later, he joined the University of Cambridge.
At Cambridge, he became a Professor of Clinical Biochemistry and Medicine. He also leads important research centers. These include the Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories. He also directs the MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit.
His most important discoveries are about obesity. He was one of the first to show that changes in single genes can cause severe obesity in people. These gene changes often affect how our brain tells us we are full. His findings have changed how doctors help children with obesity. They have also led to new treatments for certain types of obesity.
He also studies people who are very insensitive to insulin. This research helps us understand how insulin works in the body. It also shows what goes wrong when people develop insulin resistance.
Awards and Honours
Professor O'Rahilly has received many awards for his groundbreaking work.
- In 1999, he was elected to the Academy of Medical Sciences.
- In 2003, he became a member of the Royal Society. This is a very high honour for scientists. His nomination said his work helped us understand how the body controls energy. It also noted his discoveries about how gene changes can cause severe obesity.
- He received the Heinrich Wieland Prize in 2002.
- He was given the InBev-Baillet Latour Health Prize in 2010.
- In 2014, he won the Debrecen Award for Molecular Medicine.
- In 2013, he was made a Knight by the King. This means he can use "Sir" before his name. It was for his great contributions to medical research.
- In 2017, he joined the Royal Irish Academy.
- In 2019, he was elected an Honorary Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales.
- Also in 2019, he received the Banting Medal from the American Diabetes Association. This award recognized his important work in diabetes research.
- He was awarded the Croonian Medal twice. First in 2011 by the Royal College of Physicians. Then again in 2022 by the Royal Society, shared with Sadaf Farooqi.
- In 2023, he won the OU Health Harold Hamm International Prize. This was for his research linking obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
Personal Life
Sir Stephen O'Rahilly lives in Cambridge, England. He lives with his wife, Philippa Lamb, who is a journalist. He also has a stepson named Felix Lamb. He holds citizenship in both Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Images for kids
-
Professor Sir Stephen O'Rahilly
