Southampton’s Professor Cyrus Cooper has been recognised with the Royal Osteoporosis Society’s highest honour.
The Linda Edwards Award recognises his outstanding achievements in the field of osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis causes bones to weaken, making them fragile and more likely to break. It affects over three million people in the UK.
Prof Cooper is driving new research as Professor of Rheumatology and Vice-Dean of Medicine at the University of Southampton.
He is also part of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre’s Nutrition, Lifestyle and Metabolism theme.
World-leading research
For over four decades, Prof Cooper has been at the forefront of pioneering research to improve bone health. This includes 20 years as Director of the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre.
He has published extensively on the causes and prevention of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and sarcopenia. In 2015, he was awarded an OBE for services to medical research.
Key research contributions include the discovery of an association between mothers not getting enough Vitamin D in pregnancy and their children having reduced bone mass.
This was a ground-breaking development that had a major influence on public health policy. Pregnant women are now routinely advised to take vitamin D supplements.
Highest level of recognition
The award is bestowed by the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS). It will be presented to Prof Cooper at the ROS conference in September, where he will give a guest lecture.
Prof Cooper said: “As a member of the ROS since 1987, it is a particular pleasure to receive this prestigious award. It is also wonderful to have participated in the journey through the Board, Scientific Chair, Chairman and Trustee.
“I am indebted to all my colleagues and teams at the universities and foundations which have allowed me to continue this journey through 40 years of research, education and enterprise in osteoporosis.”