Submitted by Administrator on Mon, 17/07/2017 - 15:08
Prof Nick Morrell was among the winners of this year's Vice-Chancellor's Impact Awards that were announced at the prize ceremony on 13 July.
Severe high blood pressure in the lungs, known as idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), is a rare disease that affects approximately 1,000 people in the UK. PAH usually affects young women and the average life expectancy is 3-5 years. Existing treatments improve symptoms but have little impact on survival.
Prof Morrell has introduced routine genetic testing for PAH, and has found that 1-in-4 patients carry a particular genetic mutation associated with more severe disease and worse survival rate. His research has identified new ways to treat the disease, the most promising of which is being commercialised through a university spin-out biotech company.
The Vice-Chancellor’s Impact Awards were established to recognise and reward those whose research has led to excellent impact beyond academia, whether on the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life. Each winner receives a prize of £1,000 and a trophy. More information about the awards and this year's winners can be found here.
