Two Royal Free London (RFL) clinical academics have been named in the internationally recognised annual Clarivate listings of the ‘world’s most influential researchers.’

Among those recognised in the 2022 list is Professor Anthony Schapira, consultant neurologist, NHNN and UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and head of clinical neurosciences at the RFL. In addition is Professor David Wheeler, honorary consultant nephrologist. Professor Wheeler leads the clinical research team at the Centre for Nephrology at the Royal Free Hospital.

The list features the world’s top 1% of researchers on the basis of exceptional research influence.

This influence is measured by the production of multiple highly-cited research papers that rank in the top 1% by citations in the Web of Science – a global database of citations which is independent of research publishers.

Professor Schapira, who has featured on the Clarivate list each year since 2017, said: “This listing represents the excellent work of all the members of my research team over many years. We have focussed much of our work on Parkinson’s disease, particularly to find a means by which to slow down or stop the progress of the disease once diagnosed, or in some even before diagnosis. 

“It is gratifying to see that this has had such a consistently high impact and influence on global research in neurodegenerative diseases. Our studies over the past 10 years, undertaken in collaboration with the Royal Free Neurology movement disorders service and the Royal Free Centre for Lysosomal Storage Disorders, under Professor Derralynn Hughes, has resulted in important insights into the cause of Parkinson’s.”

Professor Wheeler said: “I am delighted to receive this recognition, which also reflects the work of my collaborators, many within the Royal Free London and UCL. Most of the cited publications relate to clinical trials involving patients with kidney disease. We can already see the results of these trials translating into guidelines, which we anticipate will ultimately improve outcomes for these patients. I feel proud to work at the Royal Free London, which provides an environment that facilitates patient-based research.”

Professor Derralynn Hughes, clinical director of research and innovation at the RFL, said: “It gives me great pleasure to see that research performed by Royal Free London clinical academics is amongst the most highly cited in the world, leading to their inclusion in this prestigious list. We anticipate many more years of outstanding clinical research from them and their teams.”