Professor Evan Simpson AM FAA FRSE stands as a preeminent figure in medical research with profound contributions to understanding hormonal mechanisms in human health. He currently serves as Director Emeritus of the Hudson Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne, Australia, following a distinguished tenure as Director where he shaped one of Australia's leading medical research institutions. Elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 2006 and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2012, his career spans over four decades of groundbreaking research in endocrinology and molecular biology. Prior to his directorship, Professor Simpson established his international reputation through seminal work at the University of Edinburgh and Monash University, where he remains an influential figure in the Department of Molecular and Translational Science.
Professor Simpson is universally recognized as the world leader in estrogen biosynthesis research, having pioneered the fundamental understanding of aromatase, the enzyme responsible for estrogen production in the human body. His research team achieved the landmark accomplishment of cloning the gene encoding aromatase and demonstrating that its tissue-specific regulation occurs through unique promoters, a discovery that revolutionized endocrinology. Most significantly, Professor Simpson developed the paradigm-shifting concept that estrogen action in post-menopausal women results from local production within specific tissues including breast, bone, and brain, rather than systemic circulation. This groundbreaking insight directly enabled the development of breast-specific aromatase inhibitors that have transformed breast cancer treatment by minimizing side effects while maintaining therapeutic efficacy for countless women worldwide.
The impact of Professor Simpson's work extends far beyond breast cancer, as his research has illuminated critical roles of estrogen in multiple physiological systems, revealing unexpected connections to conditions including obesity, diabetes, and osteoporosis in both men and women. His leadership has fostered international collaborations that continue to advance our understanding of hormonal regulation across the lifespan, with ongoing research exploring novel therapeutic approaches for metabolic disorders and hormone-dependent cancers. Honored with the Member of the Order of Australia for his exceptional service to medical science, Professor Simpson remains actively engaged in mentoring the next generation of researchers while continuing his own investigations into the complex interplay between hormones and human health. His current work promises to further unravel the intricate mechanisms of estrogen signaling, potentially yielding new interventions for some of the most prevalent health challenges facing modern society.
