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Diabetes expert John Todd receives Helmholtz International Fellow Award

John Andrew Todd, Professor of Medical Genetics and Director of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, is one of five scientists selected to receive the 2015 Helmholtz International Fellow Award. The award, which is endowed with 20,000 euros, includes an invitation to undertake flexible research stints at one or more Helmholtz centers. The Helmholtz Zentrum München (HMGU), a partner in the DZD, had nominated the Belfast-born expert for his work on type 1 diabetes.

In particular, Professor Todd’s achievements in research on the molecular, genetic and mechanistic basis of the disease were singled out for recognition by the jury. The work of the 57-year-old scientist has long been highly regarded at HMGU: “In recent years we have had the privilege of working with him and his team in Cambridge,” says Prof. Anette Ziegler, Director of the Institute of Diabetes Research (IDF). “His outstanding strength is his ability to bridge the gap between research and therapy.”

Professor Todd and Professor Ziegler are currently working together on the Helmsley Type 1 Diabetes Program, which was recently launched by the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. The aim of the program is to create an infrastructure for population-based clinical prevention studies in Germany and in the UK (University of Cambridge). Link to the press release 

Professor Todd has already been honored with numerous prizes and is also a member of the highly respected Royal Society. He and his four colleagues fought off competition from 14 other candidates from a total of 15 countries. The main purpose of the award is to promote cross-border networking. “Collaborating with the best in the world gives fresh impetus to our research – not only within the Helmholtz community, but well beyond,” says Helmholtz President Jürgen Mlynek. “The award is an excellent tool for this.”