James Shepherd (biochemist)
Encyclopedia
Professor James Shepherd is a world-leading pioneer in the investigation of the causes, prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease.
in South Lanarkshire
, Scotland, from which he entered the University of Glasgow
. Graduating BSc
in 1965, Shepherd achieved MB ChB with Honours in 1968 and gained PhD
in 1972.
and from 1972-88, Senior Lecturer in the University of Glasgow, and in 1988 was appointed Professor and Head of the Department of Vascular Biochemistry in the University of Glasgow and was to become the principal investigator in the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study (WOSCOPS) examining the levels of fat in the blood. From this double-blind controlled trial he and his colleagues were to make a break-through discovery in that cholesterol-lowering statins reduce the risk of first heart attack rather than just the benefits in these being administered to patients who had already experienced an heart attack.
(November, 1995) and in The New England Journal of Medicine. The study findings have led to treatment by administering of pravastatins being adopted around the world in prevention of ischaemic heart disease. In November 2002, Shepherd presented the results of a further study, 1998-2002, ((PROSPER), investigating the benefits of cholesterol-lowering in the elderly, and conducted in The Netherlands, Ireland and the United Kingdom), to the American Heart Association in Chicago. In 2004, the United Kingdom became the first country in the world to make statins available without prescription.
‘till 2005, Shepherd has subsequently been appointed (2006) Emeritus Professor, Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow. A former Chairman of the European Atherosclerosis Society, and a Founder member of the British Hyperlipidaemia Association and the Asian-Pacific Society of Atherosclerosis and Vascular Disease, James Shepherd has also spent time teaching abroad, at the Baylor College of Medicine
, Texas, the Cantonal Hospital, Geneva, and the University of Helsinki
. Shepherd is a Fellow, Royal Society of Edinburgh
; Fellow, Academy of Medical Sciences
; Fellow, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
and Fellow, Royal College of Pathologists
.
Professor Shepherd has written widely, his Papers including:
Lipoproteins in Coronary Heart Disease (1986), Atherosclerosis: Developments, Complications and Treatment (1987), Coronary Risks Revisited (1989), Lipids and Atherosclerosis Annual 2003 (2003), Statins: The HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitors in Perspective (Taylor & Francis; 2 edition (16 April 2007)
Education
Born in 1944, James Shepherd attended the Hamilton AcademyHamilton Academy
Hamilton Academy was a school situated in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland.Described as "one of the finest schools in Scotland" in the Cambridge University Press County Biography of 1910, Hamilton Academy featured in the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association Magazine article series on...
in South Lanarkshire
South Lanarkshire
South Lanarkshire is one of 32 unitary council areas of Scotland, covering the southern part of the former county of Lanarkshire. It borders the south-east of the city of Glasgow and contains many of Glasgow's suburbs, commuter towns and smaller villages....
, Scotland, from which he entered the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
. Graduating BSc
BSC
BSC is a three-letter abbreviation that may refer to:Science and technology* Bachelor of Science , an undergraduate degree* Base Station Controller, part of a mobile phone network; see: Base Station subsystem...
in 1965, Shepherd achieved MB ChB with Honours in 1968 and gained PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in 1972.
Career
From 1969-72, James Shepherd held the post of Lecturer in biochemistryBiochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
and from 1972-88, Senior Lecturer in the University of Glasgow, and in 1988 was appointed Professor and Head of the Department of Vascular Biochemistry in the University of Glasgow and was to become the principal investigator in the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study (WOSCOPS) examining the levels of fat in the blood. From this double-blind controlled trial he and his colleagues were to make a break-through discovery in that cholesterol-lowering statins reduce the risk of first heart attack rather than just the benefits in these being administered to patients who had already experienced an heart attack.
Studies results
The results of the WOSCOPS study and trial were simultaneously presented at the Annual Conference of the American Heart AssociationAmerican Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a non-profit organization in the United States that fosters appropriate cardiac care in an effort to reduce disability and deaths caused by cardiovascular disease and stroke. It is headquartered in Dallas, Texas...
(November, 1995) and in The New England Journal of Medicine. The study findings have led to treatment by administering of pravastatins being adopted around the world in prevention of ischaemic heart disease. In November 2002, Shepherd presented the results of a further study, 1998-2002, ((PROSPER), investigating the benefits of cholesterol-lowering in the elderly, and conducted in The Netherlands, Ireland and the United Kingdom), to the American Heart Association in Chicago. In 2004, the United Kingdom became the first country in the world to make statins available without prescription.
Later career
Serving also as Honorary Consultant at the University of Glasgow Royal InfirmaryGlasgow Royal Infirmary
The Glasgow Royal Infirmary is a large teaching hospital, operated by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde,. With a capacity of around 1000 beds, the hospital campus covers an area of around 20 acres, situated on the north-eastern edge of the city centre of Glasgow, Scotland.-History:Designed by Robert...
‘till 2005, Shepherd has subsequently been appointed (2006) Emeritus Professor, Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow. A former Chairman of the European Atherosclerosis Society, and a Founder member of the British Hyperlipidaemia Association and the Asian-Pacific Society of Atherosclerosis and Vascular Disease, James Shepherd has also spent time teaching abroad, at the Baylor College of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine, located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas, USA, is a highly regarded medical school and leading center for biomedical research and clinical care...
, Texas, the Cantonal Hospital, Geneva, and the University of Helsinki
University of Helsinki
The University of Helsinki is a university located in Helsinki, Finland since 1829, but was founded in the city of Turku in 1640 as The Royal Academy of Turku, at that time part of the Swedish Empire. It is the oldest and largest university in Finland with the widest range of disciplines available...
. Shepherd is a Fellow, Royal Society of Edinburgh
Royal Society of Edinburgh
The Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland's national academy of science and letters. It is a registered charity, operating on a wholly independent and non-party-political basis and providing public benefit throughout Scotland...
; Fellow, Academy of Medical Sciences
Academy of Medical Sciences
The Academy of Medical Sciences is the United Kingdom's national academy of medical sciences. It was established in 1998 on the recommendation of a group that was chaired by Michael Atiyah. Its president is John Irving Bell....
; Fellow, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, is an institute of physicians and surgeons in Glasgow, Scotland.Founded by Peter Lowe after receiving a royal charter by James VI in 1599, as the Glasgow Faculty, this institution originally existed as a regulatory authority to ensure that...
and Fellow, Royal College of Pathologists
Royal College of Pathologists
The Royal College of Pathologists, founded in 1962, was established to co-ordinate this development and maintain the internationally renowned standards and reputation of British pathology. Today the College advises on a vast range of issues relating to pathology...
.
Professor Shepherd has written widely, his Papers including:
Lipoproteins in Coronary Heart Disease (1986), Atherosclerosis: Developments, Complications and Treatment (1987), Coronary Risks Revisited (1989), Lipids and Atherosclerosis Annual 2003 (2003), Statins: The HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitors in Perspective (Taylor & Francis; 2 edition (16 April 2007)