MRC Epidemiology UnitDirector, Programme Leader and MRC Investigator
Aetiology and Mechanisms of Diabetes and Related Metabolic Disorders of Later Life
Nick Wareham is the Director of the MRC Epidemiology Unit and co-Director of the Institute of Metabolic Science.
He is also the Director of the new national research network Population Health Improvement UK.
His principal research interests are the aetiology and prevention of obesity and diabetes, and he co-leads the Aetiology and Mechanisms of Diabetes and Related Metabolic Disorders of Later Life programme. He is an Honorary Consultant at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge.
Nick was formerly a Wellcome Trust Senior Fellow in Clinical Science in Cambridge. He qualified in medicine from St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School, London, and trained in epidemiology and public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, Harvard University, Boston, USA and at the University of Cambridge. Nick was Chair of the NICE Programme Development Group on the prevention of prediabetes. In 2009 he was a member of the WHO Expert Group on the classification and diagnosis of diabetes.
Current work and interests
Nick undertakes research into the aetiological determinants of diabetes, obesity and related metabolic disorders, and the translation of that epidemiological understanding into preventive action. He is a Principal Investigator on the EPIC-Norfolk study and leads the working group for diabetes, obesity and physical activity in EPIC-Europe study. He is the co-ordinator of the InterAct EU FP6 funded project, which aims to investigate how genes and lifestyle factors interact to lead to type 2 diabetes. He has a programme of research into the genetic basis of obesity and type 2 diabetes as part of the Genetics of Energy Metabolism (GEM) consortium. His work on gene-environment interaction is based on quantitative trait studies and large scale population-based cohort studies. A key element of this work is the accurate measurement of lifestyle exposures including physical activity and he has developed and evaluated novel methods for measuring energy expenditure in free-living individuals in population-based studies. He is co-lead of the ADDITION study, a trial of screening for diabetes and intensive cardiovascular risk reduction undertaken in 3 European countries.
Publications
Professional membership and roles
- MRCP (Membership of the Royal College of Physicians), 1990
- MFPHM (Membership of the Faculty of Public Health Medicine), 1992
- Accreditation in Public Health Medicine, 1995
- FRCP (Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians), 2003
- FFPHM (Fellowship of the Faculty of Public Health Medicine), 2003
- Kroc Lecturer and Award, University of Uppsala, 2007
- Joseph J Hoet Memorial Lecturer and Menarini Award, 5th World Congress on Prevention of Diabetes and its Complications, 2008
- Chair, NICE Programme Development Group on the prevention of prediabetes.
- BHF Chairs & Programme Grants Committee
- MRC Population Health Sciences Group
- NIHR Public Health Research Funding Board
- NICE Programme Development Group Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
- MRC International Nutrition Group’s Scientific Advisory Committee (ING)
- BHF UK Physical Guidelines Co-ordination Group
- NETSCC HTA Obesity Themed Call Board
- MRC Initiative to establish UK Regional Hubs for Clinical Trials Methodology Research (HTMR)
- Office for Strategic Co-ordination of Health Research (OSCHR) PHRB Board
- DIAMAP Scientific Expert Advisory Board
- Diabetes UK Research Committee
- MRC National Survey Health and Development (NHSD) Board
- MRC Health Services and Public Health Research Board (PHROG)
- MRC Physical Systems and Clinical Services Board
- UKCRC Planning for Public Health Research in Physical Activity
- Editorial Board, Diabetologia