Researchers awarded for lifetime achievements in blood pressure research

Two academics from Queen Mary University of London have received prestigious awards from the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) 2018 in recognition of their achievements in blood pressure research.

The two awards were presented today (Sunday 23 September) at the ISH Biennial Meeting in Beijing, China, which was attended by around 2,500 people.

Professor Morris Brown received the ISH Robert Tigerstedt Lifetime Achievement Award, and Professor Mark Caulfield received the Franz Volhard Award and Lectureship for Outstanding Research.

Professor Brown is widely acknowledged by his international colleagues to have had an extraordinarily distinguished career in the field of hypertension and has been dedicated to research and practice in the field since the late 1970s. He has become an authority on tumours of the adrenal gland resulting in high blood pressure, and is a champion for training and practice, continuing to inspire Ph.D. students with his passion for research.

On receiving the award, Professor Morris Brown from Queen Mary University of London said: "It is a dream to receive this honour in the name of my hero, Robert Tigerstedt. His discovery of the kidney hormone, renin, launched Endocrinology (the study of hormones), and continues to provide inspiration and surprises to me and my students."

Professor Caulfield was presented with the Franz Volhard Award and Lectureship for Outstanding Research in recognition of leading the discovery of more than 1,000 gene regions that influence blood pressure*, and making substantial contributions to the discovery of other genes related to cardiovascular health. Following receipt of his award, he delivered a lecture to the ISH on his latest genetics research.

Professor Mark Caulfield from Queen Mary University of London said: "I am deeply honoured that the International Society of Hypertension has chosen to make this award for our discoveries on the genetic basis of blood pressure which may pave the way for improved treatment of hypertension in people worldwide."

President of the International Society of Hypertension, Professor Neil Poulter, added: "We are delighted this year that these awards have been presented to Professors Mark Caulfield and Morris Brown. They are both longstanding Society members with extraordinary distinguished careers in the field of hypertension who have been dedicated to research and practice in the field for many years."

Provided by Queen Mary, University of London