A University of Sheffield academic has won the most prestigious international award for his “pioneering” medical research.
Mark Wilkinson, Professor of Orthopaedics is one of two people in the UK to receive the 2021 Fellowship Award from the Orthopaedic Research Society, ORS.
He received the award for his research for bone and joint diseases which are the most common cause of disability in the world.
He said: “I am honoured and delighted to have received this distinguished lifetime award.
“To be recognised by my peers at the highest international level is a huge privilege.”
Professor Wilkinson is the Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Sheffield and Honorary Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said that his research has “pioneering research has played a pivotal role in helping to improve treatments and care for patients”.
Professor Wilkinson was supported by Mellanby Centre for Musculoskeletal Research which is based in the University of Sheffield’s Medical School.
His research was the first to identify the majority of genetic causes of osteoarthritis and congenital hip dislocation, a condition when the ball and socket joint of the hip does not form in babies and young children properly.
Professor Wilkinson also helped lead the development of JointCalc, an online data tool built to predict personalised joint replacement surgery outcomes. It is used in over 110 countries across the world.
Susan Chubinskaya, former President at the ORS, said: “Fellows are selected by the ORS Board of Directors and represent longstanding members of the ORS who have demonstrated exemplary service and leadership, substantial achievement, expert knowledge, and significant contributions to the ORS, its governance, and the field of musculoskeletal research.
“He became the ORS fellow because of his extensive contributions to the field of orthopaedics, clinical ortho research, education and mentoring of the next generation of clinician scientists, and extensive and continuous contributions to the ORS governance.”
The Society has 5000 members and has been the largest professional organisation dedicated to Musculoskeletal Research for over 65 years.
