Sir Stephen O'Rahilly, an honorary consultant at Addenbrooke’s has been awarded the highly coveted biennial OU Health Harold Hamm International Prize for Biomedical Research in Diabetes.
Sir Stephen O’Rahilly, (opens in a new tab) of the University of Cambridge, was selected for his outstanding research into the link between obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
The Hamm Prize (opens in a new tab) is awarded to an individual who has either demonstrated lifelong contributions to the field, or realised a singular advance, especially one that promotes curative potential. The honour includes a $250,000 award — the largest of its kind .
Established in 2012, is named after Harold Hamm, chairman and chief executive officer of Continental Resources, Inc., who provided for an endowment to fund the prize in perpetuity.
The winner is selected by a rotating Jury of national and international leaders in the diabetes community and Sir Stephen was selected for research that linked a specific mechanism to the development of obesity, the biggest risk factor for Type 2 diabetes.
He leads one of the world’s largest institutes for metabolic research at the University of Cambridge and his findings have been recognised internationally with many awards and prizes. In 2013 he was knighted for services to medical research, specifically, his work in diabetes research.
He is Professor of Clinical Biochemistry and Medicine, and Head of Department of Clinical Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge; director, Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit; co-director, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science and Scientific Director, Cambridge NIHR Biomedical Research Centre.
He said:
Research is clearly a team effort. I joyfully accept this prize on behalf of all the wonderful people with whom I have worked over nearly four decades in diabetes research, as we have strived to better understand the biology of this disorder and turn that knowledge into improved care for patients.
Sir Stephen O’Rahilly
Harold Hamm said:
The purpose of establishing this international research prize is to drive discovery of a cure for diabetes in this generation. It is to reward and fuel global scientific interest and innovation, while imagining a future free of the disease of diabetes.
Harold Ham
University of Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz Jr said:
The international scope of the Harold Hamm Prize underscores the importance of driving cutting-edge research toward the global fight against diabetes.
Joseph Harroz Jr
He added: “OU Health Harold Hamm Diabetes Center is at the forefront of this cause and this award complements OU’s commitment as a research-intensive university to pioneer discoveries that will lead to new treatment breakthroughs.”