Summary
Alex joined Imperial College School of Medicine on Academic and Music Scholarships in 1997. He completed an intercalated BSc in Endocrinology in 2001, for which he was awarded first class honours. On completion of his medical degree, he trained in Endocrinology & Diabetes and General Internal Medicine in leading London hospitals and was awarded an NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship to continue his research alongside his training.
He was subsequently awarded a Wellcome Trust PhD Research Fellowship in 2011, NIHR Clinical Lectureship in 2015, Wellcome Trust Institutional Lectureship in 2016 and a Biomedical Research Grant.
Alex has authored over 80 clinical and translational research publications in reproductive endocrinology. His research focuses on reproductive hormones and their influence on behaviour and bones. He has presented his work in invited talks internationally, including at the British Endocrine Society, International Congress of Endocrinology, American Endocrine Society, European Society of Endocrinology, International Congress for Neuroendocrinology, European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology Annual Conferences and as 'Visiting Professor' at Harvard University. In addition, he has been elected to the National Science and Grants Committee for the UK Society for Endocrinology.
Alex is heavily involved in clinical work as a Consultant Endocrinologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (based at St. Mary's, Hammersmith and Charing Cross Hospitals). Alongside general endocrinology, he leads the Imperial Endocrine Bone Unit (EBU) responsible for >4000 patients visits/year, where his clinical interests include reproductive disorders and bone disorders and their influence on each other, as well as calcium disorders including hyperparathyroidism and osteoporosis. Within the EBU he set-up and heads the new nationally-leading Fracture Liaison Service.
In addition, he continues in research and education as Professor of Practice (Endocrinology) and Head of Academic Tutoring at Imperial College London. He has been awarded Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy as well as the UK Society for Endocrinology Annual Teaching Achievement Award in recognition of his educational contributions.
His clinical, teaching and academic contributions have been further recognised internationally by several prizes including four Outstanding Abstract Awards and the Best Oral Presentation in Reproductive Science from the American Endocrine Society, The Mick Harbuz Prize from the British Society for Neuroendocrinology, as well as the Early Career Prize, Clinical Endocrinology Trust Prize and Leadership Development Award from the UK Society for Endocrinology.
He continues to publish research in notable journals including The Lancet, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, JAMA Network Open, The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, The Journal of Clinical Investigation, Endocrine Reviews and Nature Reviews Endocrinology which have attracted international media attention (including BBC, Newsweek, The Times, Independent, Reuters, Televisa, New York Post), alongside his clinical Consultant Endocrine practice.
Publications
Journals
Abbara A, Adams S, Phylactou M, et al., 2023, Quantifying the variability in the assessment of reproductive hormone levels, Fertility and Sterility, ISSN:0015-0282
Eng PC, Phylactou M, Qayum A, et al., 2023, Obesity-related hypogonadism in women, Endocrine Reviews, ISSN:0079-9963
Izzi-Engbeaya C, Patel B, Mills E, et al., 2023, The effects of kisspeptin on food intake in women with overweight or obesity, Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism: a Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vol:25, ISSN:1462-8902, Pages:2393-2397
Patel B, Koysombat K, Mills EG, et al., 2023, The Emerging Therapeutic Potential of Kisspeptin and Neurokinin B, Endocrine Reviews, ISSN:0163-769X
Abbara A, Phylactou M, Eng PC, et al., 2023, Endocrine responses to triptorelin in healthy women, women with polycystic ovary syndrome and hypothalamic amenorrhea, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Vol:108, ISSN:0021-972X, Pages:1666-1675