School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition - University of Aberdeen

21/10/2026

We’re delighted to share that Professor Angus Watson, Vice President of the The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, consultant surgeon with NHS Highland and Professor of Surgery at the University of Aberdeen, and Andy Kent, a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon at Raigmore Hospital, have both been awarded the UK Humanitarian Medal in recognition of their frontline medical work in conflict zones, including Ukraine and Gaza.

In Ukraine, Professor Watson helped establish a field surgical unit to restore services disrupted by the conflict and he more recently volunteered in Gaza as part of a UK-Med surgical team.

Andy Kent also worked with UK-Med in both Ukraine and Gaza, supporting local clinicians, advising on complex injuries and helping develop healthcare services amid the impact of war.

Read more ➡️ http://abdn.io/2vh

20/10/2026

A UK-wide study led by the University of Aberdeen, in partnership with NHS Grampian and funded with £2.3 million by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR), will investigate whether a remotely delivered endometriosis-specific Pain Management Programme (e-PMP) can offer a more effective treatment for women living with endometriosis whose pain has not been adequately controlled by surgery or medication.

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women. Standard treatments include hormonal medication, which can provide temporary relief, and surgery. However, even after surgery, pain can return in up to 50% of cases within five years.

The 12 week e-PMP will include CBT-informed psychotherapy, specialist physiotherapy, guidance on relationships, intimacy and communication, self-compassion, and medication optimisation to help reduce side effects.

Read more about the trial and Charlotte, a 27 year old from Huntly living with stage 4 endometriosis, and her thoughts on the study ➡️ http://abdn.io/2v3

19/10/2026

Interested in sports and exercise science, or know someone who might be? 💪

Why not try a taster session for the University of Aberdeen's BSc Sports and Exercise Science degree, "Built to Move: The Science of Bones and Why They Break", where you'll:

🦴 Explore the power of the human body, bones, and how we're built to move
👋 Meet Programme Lead Dr Jenny Gregory
🏆 Test your knowledge and earn a certificate

Simply sign up for a free Springpod account and complete the subject spotlight at a time and pace that suits you.

If you're considering applying, Dr Jenny Gregory will also introduce the programme, discuss the careers it can lead to, and share advice on making a strong application.

Watch the trailer below to learn more and try the subject spotlight here ➡️ http://abdn.io/2uS

16/10/2026

🎉 The Rowett Institute has secured £125k from the Scottish Government’s Proof of Concept Fund to explore a new therapeutic approach to help people maintain muscle mass during and after GLP-1-based medication use.

The research, led by Brendan Gabriel and Lora Heisler, aims to support muscle health during weight loss and ageing.

Brendan says: "Muscle is a key tissue for healthy ageing, helping to prevent frailty and support metabolic health.

"However, many people experience loss of muscle during ageing - which may particularly important in people taking GLP-1 medications where around 25-40% of weight loss comes from reducing lean mass.

"We are developing a new therapeutic approach which may help support muscle function during weight loss and ageing. We’re delighted to have received funding from the Scottish Funding Council to take this work further."

Read more ➡️ http://abdn.io/2uD

15/10/2026

What are the public health implications of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis in Scotland?

Published in the European Journal of Public Health, research by Sarah Ch*****ne, Dr Aravinda Guntupalli and Professor Euan Phimister explored this question.

To better understand poverty in Scotland, the researchers examined multidimensional poverty rather than focusing solely on income. This approach looks at whether people can meet basic needs, including heating their homes, accessing food and managing their finances.

Using survey data from 4,203 adults in Scotland, they found that:

🔥 58% experienced fuel insecurity, including difficulties heating their homes or paying energy bills.

🥫 28% experienced food insecurity, including skipping meals, reducing portion sizes or accessing food banks.

💷 22% experienced financial insecurity, including difficulties paying bills and managing unexpected costs.

More than 1 in 10 adults experienced all three forms of insecurity simultaneously.

The researchers argue that Scotland’s anti-poverty strategy must recognise how these insecurities overlap to ensure support reaches those most at risk, protect public health and reduce the burden on individuals and the healthcare system.

Read more ➡️ http://abdn.io/2uv

14/10/2026

The Medical Research Council (MRC) has announced 14 Doctoral Landscape Awards (DLAs), supporting more than 600 researchers at universities across the UK. We’re delighted to share that the University of Aberdeen is among the institutions selected.

Over the next three years, the University of Aberdeen will support 15 researchers to undertake PhDs, gaining experience across academia, healthcare and industry to help shape the future of medicine.

Commenting on the award, Professor David Blackbourn said: “Through this MRC Doctoral Landscape Award, the University of Aberdeen will empower talented early-career researchers to push boundaries, develop transformative ideas and become future leaders in medical science.”

Read more ➡️

The University of Aberdeen has been named among the recipients of a landmark national investment which will strengthen the UK's medical research workforce.

12/10/2026

Interested in molecular and cellular biology, or know someone who might be? 🔬

Why not try a taster session for the University of Aberdeen's BSc Molecular and Cellular Biology degree, "Cells: The Building Blocks of Life", where you'll:

🦠 Explore cells, the building blocks of life
👋 Meet Programme Lead Dr Alexander Lorenz
🏆 Test your knowledge and earn a certificate

Simply sign up for a free Springpod account and complete the subject spotlight at a time and pace that suits you.

If you're considering applying, Dr Alexander Lorenz will also introduce the programme, discuss the careers it can lead to, and share advice on making a strong application.

Watch the trailer below to learn more and try the subject spotlight here ➡️ http://abdn.io/2ub

09/10/2026

🦠 Save the date! The 15th International Gut Microbiology Symposium, coming to Aberdeen from 1–3 June 2027.

The Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen and INRAE will bring researchers from around the world together for three days of cutting-edge science, collaboration and networking focused on the gut microbiome.

📅 1–3 June 2027
📍 Aberdeen, Scotland
📢 Registration essential

Learn more ➡️ http://abdn.io/2u5

08/10/2026

We are proud to announce that The Rowett Institute PhD candidate Abigail Hannah Stephen has won an open science award for her work on food insecurity, centred around the “Cook Healthy, Eat Well” (CHEW) initiative.

CHEW comes in two parts: a resource box containing activities that third-sector organisations can use with clients, and a ring-binder Toolkit designed to be given directly to adults experiencing food insecurity.

CHEW has already been adopted and endorsed by organisations including Home-Start Aberdeen, Action for Children and NHS Grampian.

Now the approach has been recognised by the The European Health Psychology Society UN committee with a richly deserved accolade for Abbie, presented at its annual conference in Paphos.

07/10/2026

With the backing of the University of Aberdeen and the Aberdeen Medico-Chirurgical Society, more than 50 members of staff have recorded their recollections, both written and oral, of their specialities in and around Aberdeen throughout the second half of the 20th century and beyond. Together, these records cover the development of the first 70 years of the NHS. Learn more ➡️ http://abdn.io/2tI