The European Society of Endocrinology (ESE) announced that the 2024 European Journal of Endocrinology (EJE) Award has been awarded to Professor Li Chan.
Li Chan is Professor of Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism at the Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London.
Li Chan is Professor of Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism at the Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London. The European Journal of Endocrinology Award is presented to a candidate who has significantly contributed to the advancement of knowledge in the field of endocrinology through publication.
Professor Chan has been undertaking world-class research in the biology of melanocortins and their accessory proteins MRAPs following her description of how MRAP and MRAP2 interact and regulate melanocortin receptor expression, trafficking and function. In 2009, she was awarded a highly competitive MRC Clinician Scientist Fellowship, which she used to establish her research group and a collaborative network, resulting in several highly significant outputs, including the description of the involvement of MRAP2 in obesity.
Her further work has led to the development of small molecule antagonists for ACTH excess and a new research direction investigating obesity and diabetes in individuals with Down Syndrome.
Li Chan actively champions for women in science, serving as a role model for considered work-life balance and has mentored several women in endocrine science in her group who have faced similar challenges to those that she has encountered. She has generously donated her time to mentor the next generation in national programmes in collaboration with the Academy of Medical Sciences UK.
In addition, she has taken on key leadership roles supporting the academic endocrine community. She is co-leading the Genomics England Clinical Interpretation Partnership (GeCIP) for Endocrinology and Metabolism. She has established and leads the Life-Long Health Multidisciplinary Programme at Queen Mary University of London and is co-director of a UK Ageing network CELLO. She is Senior Editor of ESE’s journal Endocrine Connections and plays active leading roles in several paediatric and endocrine societies.
Li Chan’s achievements are reflected not only by the prestigious fellowships she held but also by significant prizes and awards for her work, most recently the Starling Medal 2023 for scientific excellence in Endocrinology from the UK Society for Endocrinology, honouring endocrine scientists less than 15 years post-PhD on an exceptional trajectory.
Professor Chan said: "I am truly honoured to have been awarded the 2024 EJE award and proud to have made a small contribution to scientific knowledge that has been recognized. I am following in the footsteps of many giants in the field of endocrinology who have previously received this award, so I have many big shoes to fill!"