A Medicine alumnus, Physician and former Principal of St George’s, University of London, Professor Peter Kopelman was an outstanding supporter of our university who was active in health policy, medical education and research.
Leadership and Academic Roles
Medicine alumnus and physician, Professor Peter Kopelman, led a long and distinguished career which included working as Principal at St George’s from 2008–2015, following an appointment as Vice-Principal of Queen Mary, University of London. He later spent a year as Vice Chancellor of the University of London from 2018–2019. Professor Kopelman was an outstanding supporter of St George’s for many years, receiving an honorary Doctor of Science degree in 2017.
Contributions to Healthcare and Education
Professor Kopelman had a long-standing interest in diabetes care and initiated a district-wide scheme for integrated care in East London. He was active in health policy, medical education and research, and was chair or deputy chair of several national university committees, as well as a member of NHS national policy and workforce committees.
Research in Obesity and Related Fields
Professor Kopelman’s major research interest was in the field of obesity, particularly the endocrine aspects and possible genetic determinants. He was also interested in the pathophysiology of associated complications and their management.
National Committees and Board Leadership
Professor Kopelman chaired the Clinical Examining Board of the Royal College of Physicians, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Faculty and Education Board, and Health Education England’s Oversight Board for Medical Associate Practitioners.
Policy and Advocacy Work
He was a member of the Chief Medical Officer’s Working Group on physical activity and, as a member of the Royal College of Physicians Committee, chaired their Working Party on the management of obesity, with particular reference to drug therapy. He also chaired the College’s Working Party on the nutritional care of patients, which resulted in the publication of a report entitled Nutrition and Patients – a Doctor’s Responsibility.
Roles in Professional Associations
He was a former chairman of the Association for the Study of Obesity, President of the European Association for the Study of Obesity, a Trustee of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, and a member of the Department of Health and Food Standards Agency Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition.