Inaugural Lecture: Professor Leo Dunkel

5 March 2013

Time: 5:30pm
Venue: Willoughby Lecture Theatre, Sir John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square Campus

Two Simple Clinical Questions

Leo Dunkel
Professor of Paediatric Endocrinology

Growth and puberty are tightly interrelated. Clinically, disturbances in these two processes encompass an important group of pathologies within the field of Paediatric Endocrinology. Pubertal timing is highly correlated within families; 60-80% of the variation is genetically determined. Understanding the genetic architecture of pubertal timing has significant public health implications, especially in light of
the current secular change towards an earlier age of pubertal onset. Puberty is heralded by an acceleration of growth rate followed by cessation of growth, which is mediated through oestrogen action in both sexes. Oestrogen blockade has therefore emerged as a new potential treatment option for children with short stature. This talk will highlight Professor Dunkel’s contributions to these two
fields of investigation.
Professor Leo Dunkel qualified in Medicine in 1981 and completed his PhD in 1985. He then specialised in Paediatrics and Paediatric Endocrinology at the University of Helsinki, Finland. In 1991- 1993 he undertook postdoctoral training at the Division of Reproductive Biology, Stanford University, USA. In 2004, he became a Chair of Paediatrics at the University of Kuopio, Finland. He joined the William Harvey Research Institute (Barts and The London SMD, QMUL) as Professor of Paediatric Endocrinology in February 2011.

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