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Philp_McTernan

Philip McTernan

Associate Dean for Research

School of Science & Technology

Staff Group(s)
Bioscience

Role

Professor Philip McTernan is the current Associate Dean of Research for the School of Science & Technology and leads the research strategy for the seven departments that comprise the School, at Nottingham Trent University. From the latest REF 2021, in the submission of 4 units of assessment, the school achieved high-ranking REF outcomes. For Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy (A03) 99% of the research output was deemed to be either world-leading or internationally excellent, noting 25% of the research activity was deemed to be world leading. For Computer Science and Informatics (B11) 80% of our research was classed as either world-leading or internationally excellent, 8% classed as world leading. For Engineering (B12), 98% of our research outputs was either world-leading or internationally excellent, with 46% of the research activity in B12 was assessed to be world leading, ranked 14th overall in Engineering in the Country. For Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism (C24) 96% of our research was considered to either world-leading or internationally excellent, 17% of the research activity assessed to be world leading.

For his own research Philip has led a multidisciplinary team investigating the molecular basis of human obesity and type 2 diabetes through to use of human intervention trials to reduce weight mediated metabolic and cardiovascular risk. His research has led to over 100+ original peer reviewed publications (H-index: 57; Citations: 13,007; GS), numerous invited review articles, 35+ PhD/MD student graduates completed, awards from EASO and ASO for his pioneering research, and media coverage including BBC Horizon. Today in research Prof McTernan continues to examine the influence of circulating gut derived bacterial fragments on chronic inflammation and the impact weight and diet has on metabolic disease prevention.

Career overview

Over the last 20 years Professor Philip McTernan has successfully led on a variety of research and education programmes at the University of Warwick (UoW) coupled with delivering a number of high-profile administrative roles. Appointed as lecturer at Warwick Medical School (WMS) in 2003 and subsequent promotions thereafter. Philip fostered his research with research success recognised through being awarded the European Association for the Study of Obesity Award ‘for Recognition of Outstanding Scientific Contribution to the field of Obesity’ and several subsequent awards after that whilst in Warwick. His research has been funded by, RCUK, EU, local charities, and industry, with training more than 35+ PhD/MD students, within his research team to date and producing over 100 peer reviewed publications.

In education Philip, undertook roles as Phase I Coordinator for WMS MBChB for 3 years (2007-2010), Widening Participation lead for UoW gifted and talented programmes, NAGTY and subsequently IGGY (2008-2017). In 2014, Philip took up the strategic role as Head of Postgraduate Research Degree Studies and concurrently acting as Deputy Academic Director of Graduate Studies for the University. This Deputy role was a key supporting role in the delivery of Postgraduate (PG) Education (PGT & PGR) across the University (30 departments), supporting to set PG strategy and deliver educational excellence. Since then, Philip, moved to NTU in 2017 where he took up position as Head of Biosciences, and subsequently in 2020 the role of Associate Dean of Research, in the School of Science and Technology.

During his time at NTU, Philip has led on the BBSRC DTP 3 with Nottingham as academic lead for NTU, as well as clinical lead for NTU’s response to Covid. Acting as clinical lead for the asymptomatic testing in partnership with UoN, as well as lead in the deployment for LFT for NTU student working in partnership with several professional services teams. This Covid work led to a Teams excellence award in 2022, for the Covid 19 service ran for the University.

Research areas

Professor Philip McTernan’s programme of research involves collaborations across universities and centres in the UK and abroad. The aim of the programme is to reduce the burden of obesity related metabolic and cardiovascular complications, in particular, type 2 diabetes mellitus T2DM. The output from his research is reflected in over 100+ original publications and several awards over the last 25 years. His research work has cast light on the molecular basis of body fat distribution and the inflammatory molecular mechanisms linking human abdominal obesity to its metabolic and cardiovascular sequelae which fit well with the current NTU research focus. Recent work has also explored how nutritional and surgical intervention strategies can be employed to reduce the burden of metabolic disease and inflammation as impact cases.

The following highlights key research areas within his team:

  • Sub-clinical inflammation in pre- and post-T2DM
  • Nutritional dietary intervention
  • Biomarkers of metabolic risk

External activity

Professor Philip McTernan is currently working with both global and international industries and research programmes in the deployment of nutritional intervention programmes. Philip reviews for grant bodies and multiple international leading research journals. Since 2000, Philip has secured several research grants from RCUK, charities as well as research commercial income from pharmaceutical companies which has generated a total income stream of over £3.35 million in funding. More recently he has been the academic lead for the Nottingham BBSRC DTP 3 working with university of Nottingham partners to enhance the strategic alliances and enhance the research environment in the school of Science and Technology.

Sponsors and collaborators

Clinical Science Act as Advisory Editor 2007

BMC Obesity Act as first Section Editor 2013

Review for Diabetes, Diabetes Care, Diabetelogia, Clinical Endocrinology, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Circulation, American Journal of Physiology E&M, European Heart Journal, Obesity Research, International Journal of Obesity & Related Metabolic Disorders, Journal of Metabolic & Hormone Research, Journal of Endocrinology, British Journal of Pharmacology, Cardiovascular Diabetology, Clinical Chemistry, Lancet, BMC Medicine.

Grant Reviewing Experience

Main Board Grant Reviewing Panel for Diabetes UK, acted on the Diabetes UK RD Lawrence Fellowships Panel; Diabetes UK PhD Studentship Panel; Wellcome Trust, MRC Fellowships, BHF Project Grants, Heart UK as well as, BBSRC Project Grants, Eli Lilly UK Research Proposals. ADA Abstract Reviewer, Telethon Peer Review System. British Endocrine Society Judge Obesity, Diabetes and CVD 2011-to date. EASD Chairman Adipose Tissue Track 2010. Science Foundation of Ireland, Chair to Review programme Grant.

External Collaborators

Prof Nasser Aldgahri (KSU, Saudi Arabia), Professor Omar Al-Attas (KSU, Saudi Arabia), Dr George Valsamakis (Greece), Dr Cecillia Invitti, (Italy), Professor Philipp Scherer (US Dallas), Dr Guy Vergeres (Switzerland).

Publications

Al-Daghri NM, Abdi S, Sabico S, Alnaami AM, Wani KA, Ansari MGA, Khattak MNK, Khan N, Tripathi G, Chrousos GP, McTernan PG.  Gut-Derived Endotoxin and Telomere Length Attrition in Adults with and without Type 2 Diabetes. Biomolecules. 2021 Nov 14;11(11):1693.

Jackisch L, Murphy AM, Randeva H, Tripathi G, McTernan PG. Endoplasmic reticulum stress mediates mitochondrial dysfunction in human adipocytes which is aggravated in obese subjects. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2020 Sept; 105 (9), 2905-2918.

Sabico S, Al-Mashharawi A, Al-Daghri NM, Wani K, Amer OE, Hussain DS, Ahmed Ansari MG, Masoud MS, Alokail MS, McTernan PG. Effects of a 6-month multi-strain probiotics supplementation in endotoxemic, inflammatory and cardiometabolic status of T2DM patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2019 Aug;38(4):1561-1569. IF 6.4, 96 Citations.

Jackisch L, Kumsaiyai W, Moore JD, Al-Daghri N, Kyrou I, Barber TM, Randeva H, Kumar S, Tripathi G, McTernan PG. Differential expression of Lp-PLA2 in obesity and type 2 diabetes and the influence of lipids. Diabetologia. 2018. doi: 10.1007/s00125-018-4558-6

Sabico S, Al-Mashharawi A, Al-Daghri NM, Yakout S, Alnaami AM, Alokail MS, McTernan PG. Effects of a multi-strain probiotic supplement for 12 weeks in circulating endotoxin levels and cardiometabolic profiles of medication naïve T2DM patients: a randomized clinical trial. J Transl Med. 2017, 15(1): 249

Chan W, Bosch JA, Phillips AC, Chin SH, Antonysunil A, Inston N, Moore S, Kaur O, McTernan PG, Borrows R. The Associations of Endotoxemia With Systemic Inflammation, Endothelial Activation, and Cardiovascular Outcome in Kidney Transplantation. J Ren Nutr. 2018, 28(1):13-27

Burton KJ, Rosikiewicz M, Pimentel G, Bütikofer U, von Ah U, Voirol MJ, Croxatto A, Aeby S, Drai J, McTernan PG, Greub G, Pralong FP, Vergères G, Vionnet N.Probiotic yogurt and acidified milk similarly reduce postprandial inflammation and both alter the gut microbiota of healthy, young men. Br J Nutr. 2017, 117(9): 1312-1322

Martinez de la Escalera L, Kyrou I, Vrbikova J, Hainer V, Sramkova P, Fried M, Piya MK, Kumar S, Tripathi G, McTernan PG. Impact of gut hormone FGF-19 on type-2 diabetes and mitochondrial recovery in a prospective study of obese diabetic women undergoing bariatric surgery. BMC Med. 2017,15(1): 34

Al-Daghri NM, Rahman S, Sabico S, Yakout S, Wani K, Al-Attas OS, Saravanan P, Tripathi G, McTernan PG, Alokail MS. Association of Vitamin B12 with Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Biochemical Markers Related to Cardiometabolic Risk in Saudi Subjects. Nutrients. 2016, 8(9)

Varma MC, Kusminski CM, Azharian S, Gilardini L, Kumar S, Invitti C, McTernan PG. Metabolic endotoxaemia in childhood obesity. BMC Obes. 2016, 3:3

Chan W, Jones D, Bosch JA, McPhee J, Crabtree N, McTernan PG, Kaur O, Inston N, Moore S, McClean A, Harper L, Phillips AC, Borrows R. Cardiovascular, muscular and perceptual contributions to physical fatigue in prevalent kidney transplant recipients. Transpl Int. 2016, 29(3): 338-51

Al-Disi DA, Al-Daghri NM, Khan N, Alfadda AA, Sallam RM, Alsaif M, Sabico S, Tripathi G, McTernan PG. Postprandial Effect of a High-Fat Meal on Endotoxemia in Arab Women with and without Insulin-Resistance-Related Diseases. Nutrients. 2015, 7(8): 6375-89

Al-Daghri NM, Alokail MS, Rahman S, Amer OE, Al-Attas OS, Alfawaz H, Tripathi G, Sabico S, Chrousos GP, McTernan PG, Piya MK. Habitual physical activity is associated with circulating irisin in healthy controls but not in subjects with diabetes mellitus type 2. Eur J Clin Invest. 2015, 45(8): 775-81

See all of Philip McTernan's publications...

Press expertise

Public Engagement: TV and Radio

  1. Horizon Science Programme ‘The Contraceptive Pill is it Safe’ (Shown on BBC November 2018) presenting research by the lab on how oestrogen affects weight gain.
  2. Festival of Imagination Warwick Art Centre Live Stage Show entitled: Fat the Good the Bad the Ugly, with Adam Bennett and Philip McTernan. Nov 2015.
  3. Food unwrapped (shown on Channel 4 Jan 2015) presenting the importance of metabolic rate on health.
  4. CBBC 'Operation Ouch' (shown on BBC October 2013, 6-13yr plus parents), presenting the role of adipose tissue in the body.
  5. Embarrassing Fat Bodies, undertook work for a focus on appetite in obesity (aired Jan 2013)
  6. Interviewed by Local Radio: BBC Coventry and Warwickshire (2012) and during Science Week (2013).
  7. Interviewed by Diabetes Radio (2012); accessible to download or listen.
  8. Daily Mail article: ‘how gender determines our fat distribution’ (2012).
  9. Men’s Health Magazine: Comments on current developments 2010, 2011, 2012