Professor Leigh Breen joins Leicester researchers to advance metabolic physiology research
Professor Leigh Breen has been appointed as Professor of Translational Physiology at the Leicester Diabetes Centre (LDC), bringing with him a wealth of experience in how exercise and nutrition affect muscle health in ageing and chronic disease.
Professor Breen will join LDC and the University of Leicester on 1 June 2025 from the University of Birmingham, where he is a Professor of Translational Muscle Physiology and co-lead for the Sarcopenia and Multimorbidity theme of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).
His extensive research, centred on metabolic diseases (conditions that disrupt the body's normal chemical processes, affecting how it processes food and energy, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes) and how they cause accelerated muscle ageing, will strengthen LDC’s research in these areas.
Professor Breen completed his PhD in Physiology and Metabolism at the University of Birmingham. He then undertook postdoctoral research at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, which is where he worked more in the field of sarcopenia (age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength) and developing interventions to counteract muscle wasting and ageing through nutrition, before returning to the UK to continue his academic career.
His appointment at LDC marks an exciting development, strengthening the centre’s expertise in metabolism and exercise physiology and is part of the expansion in expertise enabled through the successful funding award from Research England, aimed at growing the team and advancing research into novel lifestyle-based approaches for improving health outcomes.
Commenting on his new role, Professor Breen said: "I am excited to join the Leicester Diabetes Centre and Leicester Lifestyle and Health Research Group.
“The distinctive partnership between the NHS and academia at LDC advances innovative research that enhances clinical care and public health. I'm excited to become part of such a prestigious unit during a period of significant expansion.”
Tom Yates, Professor in Physical Activity and Health and Director of the Leicester Lifestyle Health and Research Group, said: "Leigh’s expertise in skeletal muscle metabolism and exercise physiology is a fantastic addition to the team and will strengthen our ability to undertake translational research for patient benefit.”
“His research will play a key role in shaping our understanding of how exercise and nutrition influence metabolic health, helping us develop new and effective strategies for prevention and management of long-term health conditions associated with muscle wasting."
Professor Breen lives in the Leicestershire countryside with his wife and two children.
Professor Leigh Breen
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