I was born in Glasgow and completed medical undergraduate training in Edinburgh in 2001. After undertaking a PhD investigating glucocorticoid metabolism in obesity at the University of Edinburgh, I completed my clinical training in 2013. I obtained MRC Clinician Scientist and Scottish Senior Clinical Academic fellowships investigating the regulation of brown adipose tissue activation and its role in cardiometabolic health.

MBChB, PhD, FRCP(Ed)

I am a clinical acdemic endocrinologist with research interests in obesity and associated metabolic disease. One of our group's major interests is to determine how we can safely increase energy expenditure as a novel treatment for cardiometabolic disease. To understand how energy expenditure by human brown adipose tissue and other tissues such as skeletal muscle is controlled, we use a variety of bespoke in vivo experimental medicine techniques such as PET scanning, microdialysis, indirect calorimetry and thermal imaging, in addition to in vitro cell culture models. Using these techniques, we have determined that the presence of brown adipose tissue in adult humans is associated with protection against cardiometabolic risk factors, and identified entirely novel mechanisms controlling brown adipose tissue function in humans. We are also actively investigating how repeated cold exposure improves cardiometabolic and wider human health to identify new therapeutic targets.

Our group also have a strong research interest in the role of glucocorticoids in the pathophysiology of cardiometabolic disease, and are pursuing development of safer glucocorticoids to treat adrenal insufficiency and improve QoL for this patient group. Our group also undertake research aiming to improve treatment outcomes for patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus.

I am an honorary consultant physician at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and undertake specialist clinics in diabetes and endocrinology.

http://www.cso.scot.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/SCAF1702.pdf

http://www.edinburghdiabetes.com/rolandstimson/

https://www.cvs.ed.ac.uk/research/projects/brown-adipose-tissue-novel-therapeutic-target-obesity-and-type-2-diabetes