A journey to reduce the global health research divide
Athula Sumathipala, Professor of Psychiatry at Keele University, will give the next lecture in Keele's programme of Inaugural Professorial Lectures 2015-16, on Monday, 16 May 2016, in the Westminster Theatre, Chancellor's Building, on the University campus. The title of his lecture is "From Colombo to Keele: A journey to reduce the global health research divide".
The lecture covers Professor Sumathipala’s research career that started in Sri Lanka and has ranged from observational to intervention studies, which have influenced policy and practice in the field. These include research exploring the prevalence and heritability of Common Mental Disorders extending to metabolic syndrome and bioethics. He will describe establishing the Sri Lankan Twin Registry and the Institute for Research and Development, Sri Lanka, for internationally competitive research and achievements made, such as the first ever island wide mental health survey. He describes using the Asian Tsunami as a window of opportunity for promoting mental health agenda. He discusses the power of international collaboration in research and the value of bi-directional knowledge flow between South to North. Lastly, his journey back to UK and to Keele University; plans on translational research and new approaches to developing interventions to optimise management of people with co-morbid mental and physical long-term health conditions
Professor Sumathipala completed his MBBS, Diploma in Family medicine and MD in Sri Lanka. These were followed by a move to the UK where he completed his MRCPsych. His pioneering research on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for the treatment of Medically Unexplained Symptoms, in Sri Lanka formed the basis of his PhD (University of London). He lists among his proudest achievements the establishment of Institute for Research & Development in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Twin Registry, a unique resource in the developing world. He is also recognized internationally as an expert in bioethics. He is an Emeritus Professor of Global Mental Health, at Kings College London.
Keele's programme of Inaugural Lectures are given by newly established professors within the University and aim to give an illuminating account of the speaker's own subject specialism. The lectures, which start at 6 pm in the Westminster Theatre, are chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Trevor McMillan.
This lecture is free and open to all.
For further details contact:
Box Office: 01782 734340