WD

Waljit Singh Dhillo

Imperial College London, DHSC

Research areas: Medicine · Reproductive Medicine · Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones · Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology · Regulation of Appetite and Obesity

ORCID iD 0000-0001-5950-4316
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About

Waljit Dhillo (FMedSci) is Professor of Endocrinology & Metabolism and Consultant Endocrinologist at Imperial College London.

He completed his medical training at St Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical School, University of London in 1994. During this time he completed an Intercalated BSc in Biochemistry funded by the Medical Research Council. He then completed his general medical training in London Hospitals. In 1997 he joined the North West Thames Rotation in Diabetes and Endocrinology as a Specialist Registrar. During this time he completed a PhD on the area of novel neuropeptides regulating appetite as a Wellcome Trust Clinical Training Fellow at Imperial College with Professor Sir Steve Bloom.

2004 he was awarded a National Institute for Heath Research (NIHR) Clinician Scientist Fellowship and appointed as a Clinical Senior Lecturer (Imperial College London) and Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology (Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust). In 2009 he was awarded an NIHR Career Development Fellowship and promoted to Reader.

2011 he was awarded a personal chair at Imperial College London. In 2015 Professor Dhillo was awarded a prestigious NIHR Research Professorship.

2021 he was appointed as an NIHR Senior Investigator and Dean of the NIHR Academy. In 2023 appointed to sit on the NIHR Board as a NIHR Scientific Director for Research Capacity and Capabilities.

2024 he was elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci) and also appointed as Secretary General of the International Neuroendocrine Federation (2024-2028).

2025 he was Elected as a Fellow of the Association of Physicians of Great Britain & Ireland and also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB).

2025 he was also appointed to Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029 Main Panel A – Medicine, Health and Life Sciences as people, culture & environment (PCE) expert

2025 Highly Ranked Scholar for Prior 5 Years in the Specialty of Metabolism – as conferred by ScholarGPS in recognition of exceptional productivity, noteworthy impact and quality of scholarly work in the top 0.05% of scholars in the Specialty worldwide
https://scholargps.com/scholars/33486880627460/waljit-s-dhillo?e_ref=4e5dfbde809fc0fde984

2026 Appointed Head of Department of Metabolism, Digestion & Reproduction at Imperial College London

Employment

Education

Education history is unavailable.

Projects & Funding

  • Neurokinin-1,3 Receptor Antagonism for Vasomotor Symptoms in Men with Prostate Cancer UK National Institute for Health and Care Research
    2026 - 2031
  • Understanding Gonadotropin Pulsatility in Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea Medical Research Council
    2025 - 2028
  • Investigating the regulation of kisspeptin neurons in functional hypothalamic amenorrhoea (FHA) Medical Research Council
    2024 - 2027
  • Effects of Kisspeptin Administration in Postmenopausal Women with Low Sexual Desire Medical Research Council
    2024 - 2027
  • MICA: Investigating kisspeptin receptor signalling to improve the treatment of reproductive disease Medical Research Council
    2022 - 2025
  • Investigating hypothalamic kisspeptin neuronal dysfunction as a key mediator of the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) Medical Research Council
    2022 - 2025
  • Imperial BRC Metabolic & Endocrine Theme 22-27 Imperial College Healthcare Charity
    2022 - 2027
  • Can GnRH be administered intra-nasally to improve the care of patients with reproductive disorders? Imperial College Healthcare Charity
    2022 - 2023
  • Using aptamer-based technology to revolutionise the diagnosis and management of patients. Imperial College Healthcare Charity
    2022 - 2022
  • Using kisspeptin to diagnose and treat infertility in diabetic and obese patients. Imperial College Healthcare Charity
    2022 - 2023
  • NIHR Senior Investigator Award NIHR
    2021 - 2025
  • EPSRC Hub for Quantitative Modelling in Healthcare Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
    2021 - 2025
  • Research Nurse - Beatrice Muzi NIHR LCRN
    2021 - 2022
  • ICHNT Fellowship for Bijal Patel Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
    2020 - 2021
  • Using aptamer-based technology to revolutionise the diagnosis and management of patients with reproductive disorders. Rosetrees Trust
    2020 - 2022
  • Investigating Kisspeptin Signalling in Sexual and Emotional Brain Processing Medical Research Council
    2020 - 2022
  • fMRI study to investigate role of the melanocortin-4 receptor in hyposexual desire disorder. AMAG Pharmaceuticals
    2019 - 2021
  • NIHR Clinician Scientist (Ali Abbara) NIHR
    2019 - 2024
  • ICHNT Fellowship for Tia Hunjan Imperial College Healthcare Charity
    2018 - Present
  • Investigating how the novel hormone kisspeptin modulates sexual and emotional brain processing in response to odour cues. Medical Research Council
    2018 - 2021
  • ICHNT Fellowship for Maria Phylactou Imperial College Healthcare Charity
    2018 - Present
  • Improving pregnancy rates following IVF treatment. Lisa Yang. Imperial College Healthcare Charity
    2017 - 2018
  • Measurement of the hormone kisspeptin to predict disorders of pregnancy. Edouard Mills. Imperial College Healthcare Charity
    2017 - 2018
  • Does the novel myeloperoxidase (MPO) inhibitor AZD5904 improve sperm function by reducing reactive oxidative stress (ROS) during obesity-induced male infertility? Imperial College London
    2017 - 2018
  • Identification of PK receptor subtypes underlying its anorectic action - development of specific agonists. Novo Nordisk
    2016 - 2019
  • Determining the role of arcuate nucleus glucokinase in the regulation of glucose homeostasis Medical Research Council
    2016 - 2019
  • Development of an aptamer-based sensor for monitoring luteinizing hormone pulsatility. Hong Kong Health and Medical Research Fund
    2016 - 2018
  • NIHR Research Professorship to Waljit S. Dhillo NIHR
    2015 - 2020
  • MICA: Neurokinin 3 Receptor Antagonism as a Novel Treatment for Menopausal Hot Flushes Medical Research Council
    2015 - 2017
  • Improving the safety of infertile women undergoing IVF treatment - 2 vs 1 dose of kisspeptin as a trigger in IVF. Imperial College Healthcare Charity
    2015 - 2016
  • Using hormones to improve reproductive health National Institute for Health Research
    2015 - 2020
  • Regulating Appetite by Targeting Nutrient Delivery in the Gut Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
    2014 - 2016
  • Investigation of the physiological role of hypothalamic glucocorticoids in the regulation of energy homeostasis Medical Research Council
    2014 - 2018
  • PhD Studentship for Shaolin Liang Hong Kong University and Imperial College London
    2014 - 2018
  • Do gut hormones mediate the beneficial effects of Roux-en-Y bypass surgery? Medical Research Council
    2013 - 2018
  • An Intelligent Implantable MOdulator of Vagus nervE function for treatment of Obesity European Research Council
    2013 - 2018
  • Restoring fertility in young women without periods using the hormone kisspeptin. Imperial College Healthcare Charity
    2013 - 2014
  • Does glucagon activate brown adipose tissue in humans. Imanova
    2012 - Present
  • Does glucagon activate brown adipose tissue in humans. Imanova
    2012 - Present
  • Determining the role of arcuate nucleus glucokinase in the control of food intake. Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
    2011 - 2014
  • LH Sensor Grant EPSRC
    2011 - 2012
  • Fellowship to Alex Comninos Wellcome Trust and GlaxoSmithKline
    2011 - 2014
  • CLRN activity based funding for Research Nurse Imperial College Healthcare Charity
    2011 - 2012
  • Investigation of role of hypothalamic glucokinase in the control of food intake Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
    2011 - 2014
  • Investigation of the role of prokineticin 1, a newly identified gut hormone which potently inhibits food intake Wellcome Trust
    2011 - 2014
  • Investigation of the prognostic value of the novel tumour marker kisspeptin in patients with gestational trophoblastic disease. Imperial College Healthcare Charity
    2011 - 2011
  • To determine the effectiveness of the hormone kisspeptin to induce oocyte maturation in IVF treatment. BRC
    2011 - 2012
  • Increased Propionate Production In The Colon Is Associated With Reduced Appetite Body Weight And Improved Insulin Sensitivity Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
    2010 - 2013
  • Developmental Clinical Studies:To determine the effectiveness of kisspeptin to induce oocyte maturation in IVF treatment Medical Research Council
    2010 - 2013
  • The use of the hormone kisspeptin to improve safety and efficacy of IVF treatment NIHR Academy
    2010 - 2015
  • To determine the effectiveness of the hormone kisspeptin to induce oocyte maturation in IVF treatment. NIHR
    2010 - 2015
  • To investigate the effects of continuous administration of PK2 for 2 weeks in DIO mice on food intake and bodyweight. AstraZeneca
    2010 - Present
  • HEFCE-NHS Clinical Senior Lecturer Award for Waljit Dhillo HEFCE-NHS
    2010 - 2014
  • MRC Capacity Building Scheme for CIMPP Medical Research Council
    2009 - 2011
  • The effect of propionate on appetite regulation, body weight and insulin sensitivity. BBSRC and DRINC (Diet and Health Research Industry Club)
    2009 - 2012
  • European Obesity Consortium studying the Hypothalamus and its Interaction with Peripheral organs European Commission
    2009 - 2013
  • Fellowship for Akila De Silva. Wellcome Trust and GlaxoSmithKline Translational Medicine Training.
    2009 - Present
  • Wellcome Trust Value in People Award Wellcome Trust
    2009 - 2009
  • BBSRC Quota Doctoral Studentships Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
    2009 - 2012
  • Kisspeptin a dual physiological role in the hypothalamic control of reproduction. Wellcome Trust
    2008 - 2011
  • Hypothalamic regulation of appetite by thyroid hormones Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
    2008 - 2011
  • Wellcome Trust Clinical PhD Programme at Imperial College London: Investigation of the novel hormone kisspeptin in disorders of reproduction. Wellcome Trust
    2008 - 2013
  • Pathways of action of the potent anorexigenic gut hormones pancreatic polypeptide and peptide YY. Medical Research Council
    2008 - 2013
  • Interdisciplinary training programme for clinicians in translational medicine and therapeutics (co-applicant). Wellcome Trust
    2008 - Present
  • PhD Studentship to Klara Hostomska Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
    2008 - Present
  • Effect of kisspeptin on reproductive function in women with hypothalamic amenorrhea Medical Research Council
    2008 - 2010
  • The effect of increased intake of the prebiotic inulin on appetite and weight loss in obese volunteers. Hammersmith Hospitals Trustees Research Committee.
    2008 - Present
  • Gut hormone and appetite alterations during ageing and modulation of diet to maximise food intake in older adults. Hammersmith Hospital Trustees Research Committee
    2008 - Present
  • Investigation of the role of Prokineticin-2, a newly identified powerful regulator of food intake. Medical Research Council
    2008 - Present
  • Hypothalamic regulation of appetite by thyroid hormones. Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
    2008 - Present
  • The effect of co-administration of oxyntomodulin and peptide YY on food intake in obese volunteers. Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
    2007 - 2008
  • Investigation of the effect of dietary manipulation to increase satiety in human volunteers. Hammersmith Hospital Trustees Research Committee
    2007 - Present
  • Does sensitivity to the human hormone kisspeptin change over the course of the female menstrual cycle. Hammersmith Hospital Trustees Research Fund
    2007 - Present
  • The role of relaxin-3 in the regulation of energy homeostasis and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Hammersmith Metabolic Medicine
    2006 - Present
  • Capacity Building Award in Integrative Mammalian Biology (co-applicant). Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
    2006 - 2011
  • Investigation of the role of Neuromedin S, a newly identified powerful regulator of food intake. Wellcome Trust
    2006 - 2009
  • Kisspeptin is a novel tumour marker in gestational trophoblastic disease. Hammersmith Hospital Trustees Research Fund
    2005 - Present
  • Investigating the role of VMH glucose sensitive neurons. Hammersmith Metabolic Medicine Fund.
    2005 - Present
  • The role of 3-iodothyronamine T1AM) in the regulation of energy balance and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. Investigative Science
    2005 - Present
  • Hypothalamic regulation of appetite by tri-iodothyronine. Department of Health
    2004 - Present
  • Investigation into the interaction between the novel hypothalamic neuropeptide orexin A and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. Hammersmith Hospital NHS Trust
    2000 - Present
  • Investigation of how the novel hypothalamic peptide, agouti related protein, AgRP, causes obesity. Wellcome Trust
    1999 - Present
  • Clinical PhD Programme at Imperial College London (co-applicant) Wellcome Trust

Publications (245)