David Weatherall

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David Weatherall is a British physician and researcher in molecular genetics, haematology, pathology and clinical medicine. His research concentrated on the genetics of the haemoglobinopathies and, in particular, a group of inherited haematological disorders known as the thalassemias that are associated with abnormalities in the production of globin (the protein component of haemoglobin). Weatherall is one of the world's experts on the clinical and molecular basis of the thalassemias and the application of this information for the control and prevention of these diseases in the developing countries.[1]

Weatherall graduated from the Medical School at the University of Liverpool in 1956. After house staff training, he joined the Army for 2 years. Returning from military service, he took a fellowship at Johns Hopkins University before returning to Liverpool, where he rose to the rank of Professor of Haematology.

In 1974 Weatherall was appointed Nuffield Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Oxford, and, in 1992, he assumed the most prestigious chair, that of Regius Professor of Medicine, from 1992 to 2000.

In 1989 Weatherall founded the Institute of Molecular Medicine at Oxford, which was renamed the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine in his honor in the year 2000 upon his retirement. He then became Chancellor of Keele University.

In 2002 Weatherall wrote a major report on the application of genomics for global health for the World Health Organization. He was knighted in 1987. Sir David is a Distinguished Supporter of the British Humanist Association.