Dr Ian Beales
Clinical Reader in Gastroenterology
Ian’s research covers aspects of basic and translational science as well as clinical diagnostic and interventional studies in gastrointestinal cancers, most specifically oesophageal and colorectal cancers. The specific focus has been on understanding the links between endocrine and inflammatory pathways and the pathogenesis of cancer. The work continues to examine the cellular pathways and clinical correlates of the interactions between obesity and the GI epithelium. Past studies have defined the specific oncogenic signaling induced by hormones derived from adipose tissue, such as leptin and adiponectin in the GI mucosa as well as evaluating novel drug targets within these pathways. Ian leads the Gastroenterology Clinical Research Team and is Chief or Principle Investigator in a large number of academic and pharmaceutical industry sponsored trials examining cancer prevention and control of inflammation in the GI tract. Ian was a PI in the major UK gastrointestinal cancer prevention studies including BEST3, BOSS and AspECT.