A leading diabetes researcher from the Royal Devon and the University of Exeter has been internationally recognised for his work improving care for people living with diabetes.

Andrew Hattersley CBE was awarded the 57th European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Claude Bernard Prize for his ground-breaking and transformative work in diabetes.

The Claude Bernard Prize is the highest award given by the EASD and celebrates an individual’s innovative leadership and lifetime achievement in diabetes research. As a result of this award Andrew will give the opening lecture to over 10,000 participants at the 61st EASD Annual Meeting in Vienna in September.

Andrew is a diabetes consultant at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Professor of Molecular Medicine at the University of Exeter. His research combines state-of-the-art molecular genetics with physiological and clinical investigations in patients. A major emphasis has been to bring scientific advances into clinical care and there has been very close working with the Exeter NHS diagnostic laboratory who provide diagnostic testing for genetic diabetes in the UK.  His team’s laboratory provides genetic testing for causes of diabetes for over 100 countries around the world, and the Exeter team has identified 27 new genetic causes of diabetes.

Andrew said: “It’s a massive honour to be awarded the Claude Bernard award for the diabetes research work performed in Exeter for the past three decades. Our achievements have all been the result of superb collaborative teamwork and this award recognises the achievements of the entire diabetes research team across the Royal Devon and the University of Exeter.”

Diabetes research in Exeter has now expanded beyond genetic forms of diabetes to examine the diagnosis and best treatment of the most common subtypes Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.  Most recently, he and colleagues have developed a tool to match up people living with type 2 diabetes with the best treatment to lower their blood glucose, which improves patients’ long-term outcomes.

To make sure research advances result in improving patient care, the Exeter team are committed to educating both health professionals and people who are affected by diabetes. Working with long-time colleague Professor Maggie Shepherd, Andrew co-hosts the One in Six Billion podcast, which explores genetic forms of diabetes and recently marked 10,000 downloads.

Andrew said: “My colleagues have been a pleasure to work alongside – showing intelligence, innovative thinking, commitment to helping patients and kindness and support for each other. With the wide range of talents in the team we have been able to make so many discoveries that have helped care of people living with diabetes.”

Professor Adrian Harris, Chief Medical Officer for the Royal Devon, said:

“We are delighted to hear that Professor Andrew Hattersley has been awarded the Claude Bernard Prize for his lifetime contribution to research.”

“Andrew has made a phenomenal contribution to the understanding and treatment of diabetes with his research making a difference not only to the lives of patients in Exeter, but also nationally and internationally. Andrew’s research leadership has also had a profoundly positive effect across other specialty areas in our Trust. In his Research and Development Director role, he was instrumental in vastly increasing research activity across the organisation, and with his generosity in mentoring and supporting other researchers, the Trust is a now a thriving research-led organisation. This is a well-deserved award and we are very proud of him.”

Professor Sallie Lamb, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean for the University of Exeter’s Faculty of Health and Life Sciences said:

“It’s thrilling to see Andrew recognised with this prestigious award. His contribution to our community and the field of diabetes over the last three decades has been hugely significant. This award is also a testament to the quality of researchers and world-class diabetes research here at Exeter.”