Peter Rothwell

Peter Rothwell is the Action Research Professor of Neurology in the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Oxford and a Professorial Fellow of St Edmund Hall. He serves as Head of the Centre for the Prevention of Stroke and Dementia and as an Honorary Consultant Neurologist for the Oxford University Hospitals Trust, maintaining active clinical practice in stroke prevention and general neurology.

His educational background includes:

• MB ChB from the University of Edinburgh (1987)
• MD from the University of Edinburgh (1995)
• PhD from the University of Edinburgh (1999)
• FRCP from London (2002)
• FMedSci from the Academy of Medical Sciences (2008)

Professor Rothwell's research centers on stroke prevention mechanisms, hypertension management, and aspirin's dual vascular/non-vascular effects, with significant contributions to understanding blood pressure variability and clinical trial translation. His work has redefined urgent stroke prevention protocols, particularly for transient ischemic attack patients.

Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal three dominant trends: inflammatory biomarkers in stroke recurrence (e.g., interleukin-6/CRP studies), multimorbidity's impact on long-term outcomes, and innovative blood pressure interventions post-hemorrhage. His ASCOLT trial extends focus to aspirin's role in colorectal cancer prevention, demonstrating cross-disciplinary reach.

Major recognitions include:

• British Medical Journal Award for Outstanding Clinical Research (2009)
• World Stroke Organisation Bienniel Award (2010)
• Kinmonth Medal, Royal College of Surgeons (2012)
• NIHR and Wellcome Trust Senior Investigator Awards

He founded Oxford's Stroke Prevention Research Unit (2000), which has produced 25 doctorates and employs 30+ staff. Funded by Wellcome Trust, MRC, and Stroke Association, his work bridges laboratory research and clinical implementation through editorial roles in major journals and leadership in international trials like PROHIBIT-ICH.

The unit operates within the Centre for the Prevention of Stroke and Dementia, conducting population-based cohort studies (OXVASC) and developing telemedicine solutions for home blood pressure monitoring, with direct impact on national stroke care pathways.