Professor Hugh Markus is a distinguished leader in stroke medicine and neurology, currently serving as Professor of Stroke Medicine at the University of Cambridge and Honorary Consultant Neurologist at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust. His academic journey began with undergraduate training at Cambridge University followed by clinical medical training at the University of Oxford, where he completed his medical education. He subsequently trained in Medicine at Oxford and Nottingham and in Neurology in London before advancing through academic ranks at King's College London as Senior Lecturer and Reader in Neurology. Prior to his current position, he served as Professor of Neurology and Head of the Stroke and Dementia Research Institute at St George's, University of London, a role he held until his appointment at Cambridge in 2013.
Professor Markus has made seminal contributions to understanding the genetic and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying cerebral small vessel disease, a major cause of stroke and vascular dementia affecting millions worldwide. His groundbreaking 2012 Nature Genetics study identified a variant in HDAC9 associated with large vessel ischemic stroke, representing one of the first major genetic discoveries in stroke that has since catalyzed numerous therapeutic development efforts. His innovative application of Mendelian randomization approaches has illuminated potential drug targets for vascular cognitive impairment, while his extensive work using advanced MRI techniques has transformed our understanding of how small vessel disease damages brain structure and function. As principal investigator of the DPUK Work Package 25b, he has pioneered methods to identify therapeutic targets for vascular health, significantly advancing the field's capacity to develop evidence-based interventions for stroke prevention.
Beyond his research achievements, Professor Markus has profoundly shaped the global stroke research community through his leadership as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Stroke and his active role on the executive committee of the World Stroke Organisation. He co-directs the WSO future leaders programme, demonstrating his commitment to mentoring the next generation of stroke researchers and clinicians across the globe. His current research focuses on unraveling the role of peripheral and central inflammation in small vessel disease, investigating genetic modifiers in monogenic small vessel diseases, and developing novel therapeutic approaches targeting HDAC9 for large artery stroke. As a principal investigator of multiple ongoing clinical trials and international collaborations, Professor Markus continues to drive innovation in stroke prevention and treatment, with his work holding significant promise for reducing the global burden of stroke and vascular cognitive impairment.
