Sasha Howard

Dr. Sasha Howard is a Clinical Reader (Associate Professor) in Paediatric Endocrinology at Queen Mary University of London and an Honorary Consultant at Barts Health NHS Trust. Her research focuses on genetic and hormonal mechanisms underlying pubertal disorders, including central precocious puberty (CPP) and delayed puberty (DP). She leads the Genetics of Disordered Puberty Project, identifying genetic mutations responsible for these conditions, with a current cohort of >130 patients yielding a 28% diagnostic rate. Clinically, she runs specialist puberty services and developed national guidelines for pubertal disorder management.

Education: MBBS (Distinction, UCL, 2004); PhD in Molecular Endocrinology (Wellcome Trust-funded, 2017); Advanced clinical training in Paediatrics and Paediatric Endocrinology at Barts Health, UCLH, and Great Ormond Street Hospitals. She holds leadership roles as Integrated Academic Training lead for QMUL’s Specialised Foundation Programme and senior lead for the pan-London REACH paediatric research network.

Research interests span genetic mapping of puberty timing, gonadotropin therapy efficacy (e.g., the PinG Study), and neurodevelopmental syndromes linked to puberty disorders. Her group explores genes like IGSF10, SEMA6A, and BRINP2, with translational projects aiming to improve diagnostic tools and fertility outcomes for patients with hypogonadism.

Awards include the 2021 Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Fellowship, 2017 NIHR Clinical Lectureship, and multiple grants from NIHR, Rosetrees Trust, and the Academy of Medical Sciences. Collaborations involve Imperial College London, Great Ormond Street Hospital, and international networks like the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE).

Teaching and mentorship: Supervises PhD students and clinical trainees, with alumni now in academia (e.g., Harvard postdocs) and clinical roles worldwide. She co-leads the Barts Pituitary Centre and chairs the NIHR/BSPED Clinical Studies Group.