Professor Bart Staels is a distinguished leader in molecular medicine and metabolic disease research, currently serving as Director of the INSERM U1011 Unit 'Nuclear Receptors, Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases' at the Institut Pasteur de Lille. He holds the position of Professor of Exceptional Class at the University of Lille's Faculty of Pharmacy and maintains laboratories at both the Institut Pasteur de Lille and the Faculty of Medicine of Lille. Following his doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Louvain in Belgium, he completed advanced training at UCSF in San Francisco and RPR in Paris, establishing a strong foundation for his research career. As a senior member of the Institut Universitaire de France, he has demonstrated sustained excellence in scientific leadership and continues to shape research directions in metabolic disorders.
Professor Staels has pioneered groundbreaking research on nuclear receptors, particularly their role in controlling inflammation, lipid homeostasis, and glucose metabolism, with his work on PPAR receptors identifying potential therapeutic targets for diabetes, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular diseases, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. His discoveries have directly contributed to the development of novel therapeutic compounds including elafibranor and pemafibrate, both currently in clinical development for metabolic disorders. His research impact is evidenced by his inclusion among Clarivate's Highly Cited Researchers in 2024, placing him among the top 0.1% of scientists globally based on citation impact. The European Atherosclerosis Society specifically recognized his exceptional contributions to cardiometabolic disease research when awarding him the prestigious Anitschkow Prize in 2024 for his transformative work in the field.
Beyond his research achievements, Professor Staels holds esteemed memberships in both the French National Academy of Pharmacy and the Royal Academy of Medicine of Belgium, reflecting his significant contributions to biomedical science. He previously served as president of the French Society of Atherosclerosis and co-founded the European Institute of Genomic Diabetes (EGID) in Lille, where he serves on the board of directors. His current research continues to focus on advancing the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying cardiometabolic diseases to develop more effective therapeutic interventions. With his sustained contributions to both fundamental science and translational medicine, Professor Staels remains at the forefront of research aimed at improving global health outcomes for patients with metabolic and cardiovascular disorders.
