Mark Hanson

Professor Mark Hanson serves as the British Heart Foundation Professor of Cardiovascular Science within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Southampton, where he is the founding Director of the Institute of Developmental Sciences and Director of the Division of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease. His leadership extends to the early life nutrition theme of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre and international collaborations across developed and developing countries.

His educational background includes a B.A. (Honours) in Animal Physiology from St John's College, Oxford (1971), a CertEd from the University of Leeds (1974), and a D.Phil. in Physiology from St. John's College, Oxford (1979). His academic appointments span from Lecturer in Biological Sciences at Waverley College (1974-1976) through progressive roles at University College London to his current position at Southampton.

Hanson's research focuses on the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, examining how environmental factors before and after birth influence lifelong risk of chronic conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. His work integrates evolutionary medicine perspectives with clinical applications, spanning from molecular epigenetic mechanisms to population-level interventions. His research has pioneered methods for measuring fetal brain oxygenation and placental function, with applications in clinical practice.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals consistent themes in epigenetic biomarkers, transgenerational effects of nutrition, and the application of evolutionary principles to modern health challenges. His work shows increasing emphasis on global health applications and interventions targeting adolescent health literacy as a pathway to breaking intergenerational cycles of disease.

• Paul Harris Medal by Rotary Foundation (2008)
• Rector's Medal, University of Chile, Santiago (2016)
• Illustrious Professor, Catholic University of Chile (2016)
• FIGO Distinguished Merit Award (2018)
• ad eundem Fellowship of RCOG
• Honorary Fellowship of RCPCH

Hanson has successfully supervised 36 postgraduate students with 3 current advisees. His grant portfolio includes leadership of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre's early life nutrition theme and international collaborations funded by both public and private sources. He serves on numerous international committees including the WHO Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity and the FIGO Committee on Pregnancy and NCD.

He founded and leads the LifeLab initiative, a hospital-based educational facility that has engaged over 11,000 adolescents in Wessex region in understanding the science behind health messages. His Institute of Developmental Sciences operates across multiple international sites including visiting appointments in Auckland, Singapore, and Jamaica, creating a global network for developmental origins research.